| Fraudulent claims that have been investigated by the | | | | surging trend had continued in the first quarter of |
| insurance industry more than doubled in 2009, with | | | | 2010 too. |
| the first quarter of 2010 already showing a new rise | | | | One such case investigated by the IIF in 2009, |
| in the number of cases being probed. | | | | involved a staged burglary, which saw two separate |
| There have been 165 new cases already exposed up | | | | claims made for two robberies in the same |
| to the end of March 2010, a far higher figure than | | | | geographical area totalling 103,000. |
| that for the same period last year. | | | | On further investigation, it was discovered that the |
| Of the new cases being investigated by the | | | | claimants were both good friends who had carried |
| Insurance Industry Federation (IIF), motor injury | | | | out bogus burglaries at each other's homes. |
| claims accounted for 42 per cent of claims, with 17 | | | | The claimants were asked to pay 12,000 to the |
| per cent linked to motor damage. Property claims | | | | court following prosecution, with the money |
| made up 25.5 per cent of the cases, with employers' | | | | distributed to local charities within the area. |
| liability and public liability cover accounting for 14.5 per | | | | A fear of a large number of bogus claims being made |
| cent. The remaining one per cent of cases was linked | | | | has had an affect on the Insurance Industry |
| to claims such as life insurance and travel insurance. | | | | Federations advertising campaign during the past two |
| Figures published by the Insurance Industry | | | | years. A spokesperson said, "The IIF continued with |
| Federation revealed that its Insurance Confidential | | | | an anti-fraud advertising effort in 2009 as insurers |
| Hotline had received information relating to 686 new | | | | were aware of the likelihood of an increase in |
| cases in 2009, compared to just 308 cases in 2008. | | | | fraudulent and exaggerated claims as the recession |
| These numbers reflected the number of cases being | | | | took hold. The advertising is used to deter people |
| investigated only, with the number of calls to the | | | | from engaging in fraudulent activities, as well as |
| hotline being a multiple of the figure. The IIF said the | | | | highlighting the IIF's confidential hotline. |