Legal News
False Holiday Insurance Claims on the Rise (20 September 2011)
Date: 20/09/2011
Foreign doctors have been making a profit by selling fake medical certificates to dishonest holidaymakers wishing to cash in on their insurance policies. An investigation has revealed that £6 million worth of false holiday insurance claims were paid last year, increasing the cost of insurance premiums for honest holidaymakers. Even when claims are revealed, the significant time and money required to pursue an investigation can lead to companies refraining from prosecuting dishonest travellers.
A reporter for a popular newspaper was provided with a variety of false medical certificates by healthcare professionals in India. Death certificates can also be obtained for around £800 and can used to fraudulently claim hundreds of thousands of pounds from insurers. The newspaper's investigation found one healthcare clinic owner to fill out a range of forms detailing a fictional stomach complaint and attaching to it a bill for £2,400. An ambulance driver willingly offered reporters a fraudulent death certificate and a tout, who specialises in introducing holidaymakers to corrupt officials, was allegedly able to persuade an official register to sign and stamp the death certificate.
John Saunders, who heads Linden Claims International, claims that his Berkshire-based company uncovered atleast half-a-dozen false insurance claims deriving from India each month. The company has successfully discovered 120 fake deaths over the past two decades. Mr. Saunders states that the average cost of a claim for medical expenses ranges between £400 and £8,000.
Duncan Lewis’ personal injury solicitors may be able to help clients to receive compensation for holiday accidents or other personal injury issues. The team specialise in cases relating to both general and special damages. If you have been caught committing an offence relating to an insurance claim our criminal solicitors are able to help.