12 million would lie to insurer

A survey by Moneysupermaket.com has found that 12 million drivers make a fraudulent claim to insurers to ensure payout.

The survey asked motorists whether they would reveal the truth to their insurer if they hadn't secured their vehicle properly and it was stolen:

• 18 per cent were honest enough to say they would volunteer this information without being asked
• 36 per cent would not reveal this information willingly to their insurer
• 9% say they would never tell the truth
• 31% would only be upfront with the truth if they were pressed
• 15% of 20-somethings prepared to lie
• 6% of those in their fifties
• 5% of sixty-somethings
• 14% of those living in the North East and Yorkshire would never tell their insurer the truth
• 2% cent of motorists in East Anglia would lie
• 27% of Scots claim they would volunteer information without being asked
• 33% of women would reveal the information if asked - compared to just 28% of men

Andy Leadbetter, managing director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: "It's a real surprise to find out so many motorists are ready to lie in order to secure a motor insurance payout. In the current climate, many people may be concerned about receiving adequate payout from their insurer. However it would be foolish to keep quiet and withhold information; if you are caught out it could back-fire and be seen as fraudulent behaviour in the eyes of an insurer, and could result in them refusing to cover you in the future."