Drivers would resort to fraud to avoid jeopardising insurance claim

A hardcore of 2.5 million British motorists would commit fraud to avoid jeopardising their insurance claim, according to research.

A study by price comparison website moneysupermarket.com found many drivers would flout the law to ensure their payout.

The survey asked motorists what they would do if they had failed to lock their car properly and it was stolen, fewer than one in five (18 per cent) said they would give the full facts without being pressed. Forty one per cent would own up to their carelessness if asked, while a further 26 per cent said they would resist telling the truth until they felt the pressure was too great.

Richard Mason, managing director of insurance at price comparison website, moneysupermarket.com, said:“It’s extremely worrying that one in three drivers would actively attempt a cover-up if their carelessness led to a claim.

“People may not see the omission of certain facts as fraud, but if these facts helped lead to the claim then that’s exactly what it is. We would urge all drivers to tell the full truth; insurance fraud is a criminal offence and the overall consequences could be far more costly than the sums they are trying to salvage by being economical with the truth.

“A conviction will leave a lasting impression on the individual’s life and the insurance industry may well refuse to cover them in future, meaning they can no longer drive at all.”

Men are more likely to withhold the true circumstances with 11 per cent clinging tight to total innocence compared to six per cent of women. The Welsh are most honest, with a quarter (25 percent) saying they would tell all without prompting, compared with 10 per cent of those from the North East. The Scots were the least likely to refuse to give full details under pressure, with only five per cent opting for the non-disclosure route.

Richard Mason added:“Insurers are often seen as the bad guys, but there are two sides to any relationship and drivers need to own up to their mistakes. In such circumstances, insurerswill assess the full details of the claim and are generally pretty reasonable when it comes to paying out.”