There has been a 27 per cent increase in false insurance claims across Britain in the last year, according to a new report.
Household and motor insurance fraud had the biggest number of false claims with a 52 per cent and a 45 per cent rise, respectively, new figures from Cifas, the UK's fraud prevention service, have shown.
However, there has been an overall decrease in fronting an insurance policy, which is where a driver claims they are the main user of a car that is actually being driven by a young driver or other high-risk motorist in order to receive lower premiums.
Hike: Household and motor insurance has seen the biggest rise in fraud over the past year
Fronting is often committed by parents who say they are the main user of a vehicle when it is actually being driven by their child.
According to Direct Line, the most common home insurance claims are accidental damage, escape of water, a storm, accidental loss and burglary - most of which are incidents that could be easy to falsely claim for.
Mike Haley, chief executive officer of Cifas, said: 'False insurance claim fraud and fronting insurance policies fraud are often seen as an easy way to make a bit of money without hurting anyone.
'Yet the idea that fraud is a victimless crime is completely false.
'First, false insurance claims and fronting insurance policies are illegal. They can impact your life and career, making it near-impossible to buy insurance in the future and can even lead to a criminal record.
'Second, committing fraud hurts everyone: your neighbours, your friends, people in the area, and the UK as a whole.
'Insurers have to spend longer reviewing insurance claims and policy requests, premiums go up, and everyone loses out.'
| Age band | Percentage Change |
|---|---|
| Under 21 | 86% |
| 21-30 | 8% |
| 31-40 | 19% |
| 41-50 | 24% |
| 51-60 | 39% |
| 61+ | 73% |
| Source: Cifas |
The data shows an increase in false insurance claims made by both the young and the elderly.
There has been a 86 per cent rise in under 21s making false claims as well as a huge 73 per cent of people aged 61 and over.
Regionally, the highest increase was 48 per cent in the East, followed by 44 per cent in the South West.
However, there were areas that saw a decrease in the crime with insurance fraud dropping 24 per cent in Wales as well as four per cent in the North East.
The statistics mark the launch of Cifas' 'faces of fraud' campaign which is hoping to help consumers understand why they shouldn't take up what can appear to be seemingly harmless opportunities to make quick cash or get a better deal, when these are actually criminal acts.
The service is urging people to stop and think about the consequences of making false insurance claims or fronting insurance policies, which can be far more serious than many believe.
Consequences can include non-payment of claims, cancellation of insurance policies, individuals having to pay costs that arise from an accident as well as a record with Cifas and the insurance fraud register which makes it more difficult to obtain insurance and other financial services.
Fronting is where people lie on their insurance about who is the main driver of their vehicle
| Region | Percentage Change |
|---|---|
| East | 48% |
| East Midlands | 0% |
| London | 14% |
| North East | -14% |
| North West | 30% |
| Scotland | 40% |
| South East | 22% |
| South West | 44% |
| Wales | -24% |
| West Midlands | 26% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 29% |
| Source: Cifas |
Cases can also be reported to the police for investigation which could lead to a criminal conviction and even a prison sentence.
Haley adds: 'As the rise of false claims in household and motor insurance shows, many people are seemingly unaware of the risks they're running and the consequences it can have by committing everyday fraud.
'While the overall downturn in fronting insurance policies is a positive sign, the fact that young people are increasingly more likely to commit that type of fraud highlights the need for continuing education.
'More needs to be done to raise awareness about the harm of fraud and financial crime.'
In a bid to combat the rise of false insurance claims, firms are encouraging motorists to have a black box fitted to their car.
The telematics device monitors a person's driving and reports the data it collects back to the insurer.
This has helped reduce premiums for drivers as the safer the driver, the lower the insurance rates.
The devices have proved particularly beneficial to younger drivers whose insurance tends to be higher when they start driving as they are considered to be more likely to have an accident on the road.
Janet Connor, managing director of AA insurance, said: 'Not only are false insurance claims and fronting insurance policies are illegal but it also means that your insurance is not valid – hence if you write-off your car or suffer serious injuries you are unlikely to be covered.
'So as well as a potential criminal record it could also cost you a fortune. The high cost of motor insurance for younger drivers means families can be lured into fronting.
'To reduce the number of illegal motor insurance policies, we continue to ask the Government to remove Insurance Premium Tax for newly qualified drivers who take out a telematics "black box" insurance policy for their first two years behind the wheel.'
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Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/23/false-insurance-claims-rise-by-27-across-the-country-in-past-year/
Main photo article There has been a 27 per cent increase in false insurance claims across Britain in the last year, according to a new report.
Household and motor insurance fraud had the biggest number of false claims with a 52 per cent and a 45 per cent rise, respectively, new figures from Cifas, the UK’s...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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