Property

The prime objective of property insurance fraud is to obtain more money than the item would be worth if sold legitimately. But this kind of fraud can become complex.

In the case of buildings and plant equipment, arson is often involved. Goods that are unsaleable due to their poor condition, quality or lack of market demand, might also be 'lost' or 'destroyed'. In the case of unsaleable goods, the person perpetrating the fraud, along with any co-conspirators, avoids the consequences of bad merchandise choices by dishonestly causing the insurer to pay the bill. Insurers then recoup their costs by raising premiums - and this is when honest policyholders pay the price.

Property insurance fraudsters often get away with their crimes by seemingly being part of the legitimate business world and portraying themselves as 'victims of circumstance'.

As with all insurance fraud, the pocket it ultimately hits is yours.  

If you have information that you believe in good faith is insurance fraud, report it NOW!
 

Types of Fraud

Workers Comp

This can include employees falsely receiving benefits such as time off work, by faking injuries, exaggerating legitimate ones, claiming for pre-existing injuries or those sustained that have no relation to the workplace.

Motor Vehicle

This type of fraud takes many forms, including claiming theft in order to obtain money for an unsaleable car, or to cover up 'drink driving' accidents; staging car accidents; or vehicle arson.

Property

Goods that are unsaleable due to their poor condition, quality or lack of market demand, may also be fraudulently 'lost' or 'destroyed'. In the case of buildings and plant equipment, arson is often involved.

Arson

Insurance arson typically involves the intentional burning of insured property in order to destroy it and claim its insured value, especially when this is greater than the item's saleable value.

Life

A typical example of life insurance fraud might be a person claiming a monthly benefit - while working another job on the quiet. More extreme examples include elaborately faking deaths and disappearances for the fraudster and any accomplices to secure the payout.

Health

Fraudulent acts include healthcare or medical professionals billing for services not performed, claiming higher than actual costs, participating in the treatment of 'patients' brought in as a result of staged accidents, or carrying out unnecessary procedures.

Other

People might claim falsely for injuries relating to falls (called 'slip and fall' accidents) or other incidents where the consequences can be exaggerated.