Survey Reveals 40% Would Consider Inflating Home Insurance Claims

A recent survey conducted by iReach for insurer Aviva in Ireland and the UK reveals that nearly four in ten respondents would consider inflating a home insurance claim to receive extra compensation. Additionally, almost one in five people know someone who has done this.

The poll, which included 1,000 participants, found that three-quarters of respondents support stricter penalties for insurance fraud, with tougher financial penalties being the most popular measure. Nearly half of those surveyed advocate for harsher financial repercussions, and one in five believe more jail time should be imposed on fraudsters. Over one-third think insurance fraudsters should be named and shamed.

Brian O’Connor of Aviva highlighted that home insurance fraud can involve false or exaggerated claims for accidental damage, loss, and theft of items such as mobile phones, televisions, jewelry, laptops, tablets, and watches. The survey indicated that 20% of respondents are unsure about exaggerating a claim, while 17% would be tempted to do so to varying degrees. Encouragingly, 63% of respondents would not inflate a claim, with many calling for stricter measures against fraud.

O’Connor emphasized that fraudulent claims increase insurance premiums for everyone, penalizing honest customers. He noted that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime and urged people to understand its broader impact. Honesty is crucial when making insurance claims to avoid denied claims and future difficulties in obtaining insurance.