The state Department of Motor Vehicles is warning drivers about a rise in staged crashes and car insurance fraud.

According to insurance industry experts, staged crashes inflate the average auto insurance premium by about $100 to $300 per year.

New York had the second-highest number of staged crashes in the nation in 2023.

The best way to avoid falling victim to these scams is to drive defensively, experts said.

Defensive-driving habits include anticipating other drivers’ actions, not tailgating, and being prepared to react quickly.