Data from a GPS tracking solution has helped uncover a dishonest insurance claim relating to a hire vehicle.

ABAX used the Triplog system to show that the vehicle was used after the time of the reported fault.

Practical Car and Van Rental in Milton Keynes has a fleet of around 200 vehicles of which around half are fitted with the ABAX Triplog system. This includes a vehicle used by a customer to drive to Paris where it was then reported to smell of burning, with the fire brigade allegedly called as a result.

Although Practical Car told the customer not to use the vehicle and arranged for him and his family to be flown back home to the UK through their insurance policy, the ABAX Triplog system subsequently showed that the vehicle was used after the time of the reported fault. No fault was actually found and Practical Car were able to reclaim the costs that paid for the immediate cost of having the ABAX technology.

Chris Miller, ABAX UK chief executive, said: “Telematics hardware has a number of benefits, but this example proves it also helps to avoid instances of insurance fraud, which ultimately drive up premiums for everyone. We are seeing more and more car hire firms using telematics systems. The ability to recover vehicles following the first notification of loss is key.”

Chris Sawyer, rental manager for Practical Car & Van Rental, added: “We responded to the customer using the immediate information available to us and our priority is always the wellbeing and comfort of the customer. However, we do have to be aware of potential fraudulent cases and the information stored by the ABAX Triplog system proved to be invaluable.”