A term used by insurance professionals to describe an auto accident that never happened but for which a property damage claim has been made is?

The term that best describes an auto accident that never occurred but for which a property damage claim has been filed is "phantom accident." This terminology is specifically used in the insurance industry to identify fraudulent claims that assert an incident took place when it did not. It highlights the deceptive nature of such claims, revealing the effort to receive compensation for an event that has no basis in reality.

While terms like "false claim" and "fictitious claim" are closely related and often used in the context of insurance fraud, they can refer to a broader range of fraudulent activities, including exaggerated claims or claims for events that did occur but are misrepresented. "Paper accident," on the other hand, may not be as commonly recognized in the industry and might not carry the same specific connotation as "phantom accident." Each of these terms may reflect different nuances of fraudulent behavior, but "phantom accident" captures the essence of a non-existent event that is falsely claimed for compensation.