Department of Insurance Expresses Concern Over Toyota Ads

The Idaho Department of Insurance (DOI) has joined forces with the
Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, a Washington group that includes insurers, law
enforcement officials, and consumer groups, in expressing concern over the recent
Toyota ad campaign. This campaign shows people dumping their cars so they can
buy new ones.
Every scene depicted in the ads is a crime. The DOI and the Coalition believe the
message is as much about increasing insurance fraud as it is about increasing car
sales.
DOI Fraud Investigator, Don Roberson, has written to the president of the Toyota
company asking him to pull the ads. “Insurance fraud is a very costly and very
harmful venture,” said Roberson. “It affects all of us in the form of increased
premiums.”
Over one in four adults in the United States believe that it is acceptable to cheat on
an insurance claim, up from 21% just nine years ago. The National Crime Bureau
and the Coalition estimate 10-25% of each insurance premium dollar spent by
consumers goes to insurance fraud. That annual cost is $60 billion.
In a response posted to the Coalition’s blog, Toyota had this to say, “The
ridiculous situation portrayed in the commercial is intended only for levity, and is
not meant seriously or to encourage ridiculous or antisocial behavior.” They added,
“Our only intention is to advertise our products. We hoped the commercial would
create a pleasant moment of laughter that would help the viewer keep Toyota in
mind.”