Phony Auto Insurance Certificates Popping Up around Metro Detroit

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Time to check your auto insurance policy. Is it real? Are you sure? Some are fakes. There is a big insurance scam happening, and some people are going door-to-door selling fake policies.

All Michigan drivers are required to have auto insurance and have a state certificate from a licensed insurance agency proving that they do. However, the market in phony insurance certificates may be growing.

"Somebody approaches them and they get (a) really good rate on... proof of insurance, and then they think they're... driving legally," said Melissa Aitana, who is an agent with Insurance Advisors.

Phony insurance certificates using the name of Insurance Advisors in Commerce Township have been popping up in Pontiac, Detroit and Hazel Park.

"Bothers us that somebody would kind of drag our name through the mud, but mainly the concern is on the consumer," said Insurance Advisors Office Manager Alissa Sparks.

A Detroit man found out his certificate was phony when he switched insurance companies.

"Purchased what he thought was insurance from a door-to-door salesman. He came to the door. This is what I have. This is the amount of money. Was a good deal," Aitana said.

Always examine the certificates. Fake ones stand out.

"The type font is different on one side than the other," said Aitana. "The company issued policy numbers are totally fake."

People driving with fake certificates of auto insurance either knowingly or unknowingly run serious risks.

"What we're mainly concerned about is if somebody does get in an accident thinking that they have insurance and they're covered and it turns out that they don't have any coverage," Sparks said. "That's a big financial burden on them that could be really scary."

Make sure you get an insurance policy, as well as a certificate. The insurance agents say the state needs to get tougher with those dealing in phony certificates.