Detected travel insurance fraud rose 85% last year to 4,500 cases, according to new figures from the Association of British Insurers. The travel insurance experts at Norton Insurance Brokers explain what the surge means for genuine holidaymakers, and how to make sure a real claim isn’t held up.
What do the figures show?
• Detected fraudulent travel claims rose 85% in a year, to 4,500.
• Their combined value rose 16% to £8.6m, or just under £2,000 per claim.
• Exaggerated loss, such as inflating the value of a stolen item, remains the most common type of insurance fraud.
Will honest travellers be affected?
As fraud detection steps up, claims can face closer checks. Travellers who keep good records are the least likely to see delays.
How can you protect a genuine claim?
• Photograph your valuables before you go: pictures and receipts make proving ownership and value simple.
• Report thefts to local police straight away: many policies require a police report, often within 24 hours, so check your policy wording.
• Keep every medical document abroad: doctor’s notes, hospital paperwork and receipts all support a medical claim.
• Declare medical conditions when you buy cover: not declaring a condition can lead to a genuine claim being turned down.
• Never round up: adding to a claim, even slightly, can mean the whole claim is refused and your details may be shared on industry fraud databases.
Expert comment
Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director at Norton Insurance Brokers, said:
“These figures are a reminder that fraud isn’t a victimless crime. It pushes up premiums and slows things down for everyone else.
“When fraud rises, insurers look harder at every claim, and honest travellers can feel that through more questions and more requests for evidence. A well-documented claim is a quick claim, so build your paper trail while you’re away: photos, receipts, and a police report or medical notes on the day something goes wrong.
“And never be tempted to add a little extra. What feels like a small exaggeration can cost you the whole claim.” For more information on travel insurance, visit: https://www.nortonib.co.uk/travel-insurance/
