Insurers on fraud alert as suspicious claims surge

INSURANCE companies are bolstering their fraud investigation teams due to a “significant and worrying” increase in suspicious claims involving high-end luxury cars, lorries and unoccupied properties.

As the recession plunges more and more people into debt, the head of AXA’s fraud investigation team said the firm was “very concerned” about an increase in suspicious claims, especially concerning expensive cars.

Willie McGee, a former Garda fraud squad detective, said he was particularly concerned about fraudulent claims for high-end cars, lorries and property which were on the rise at a significant and worrying rate.