Britons are increasingly turning to fraud to cope with the cost of living crisis, according to one of Europe’s biggest insurers. Zurich U.K. reported a 25% jump in bogus insurance claims in the first five months of 2022, compared to the same period a year ago, a surge it said comes as households and businesses suffer under increased financial strain.
“Sadly, many more people are facing hardships as a result of the cost of living crisis, which is contributing to an increase in fraudulent claims,” said Scott Clayton, head of claims fraud at Zurich U.K., a division of the Swiss insurance group
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The insurer said it prevented fraud amounting to £4.2 million ($5.1 million) – up from £3.3 million over the same period in 2021. This equates to more than £40,000 a day, with the average value of a fraudulent home insurance claim of £8,800 ($10,600). The most most common items fraudsters said were stolen, lost or damaged were TVs, mobile phones and expensive jewellery. “We understand that the rising cost of living has made the past few months particularly hard for many people across the country – but turning to crime is never the answer,” said detective chief inspector Tom Hill, from the City of London’s insurance fraud enforcement department. Aviva
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a U.K. insurer, said in May that home insurance fraud jumped by 45% in 2021, though it suggested this related to reduced incomes during COVID lockdowns. The Association of British Insurers said that i …