Many insurance claims rejected

More than a third of suspicious motor and household insurance claims are either rejected or withdrawn following investigation, figures showed.

Innovation Group, which investigates suspicious claims on behalf of insurers, said no payment was made on 41% of household and 36% of motor insurance claims that were referred to it during the first six months of the year.

The group, which uses an investigative psychological interviewing technique to detect potentially fraudulent claims, said the main reasons for a payout not being made was that the consumer was unable to produce proof of purchase or they decided to withdraw their claim following cross examination.

Nikki Grieve-Top, head of intelligent research and development at Innovation Group, said: "Throughout the interview process claimants are given various 'opt-out' points where they can walk away from a claim if it is suspicious.

"This often happens after one of our investigators cross examines the claim for any inconsistencies or the claimant simply becomes impossible to contact."

The group said the highest number of suspicious household claims referred to it related to claims for audio visual equipment such as MP3 and DVD players, followed by claims for damage to flooring or carpets.

The average age of someone making a suspicious household claim was 42, with the highest volume of these claims made in Lanarkshire, Nottingham and Lancashire.

For motor insurance the highest number of suspicious claims related to theft, with claimants most likely to live in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

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