The number of fraudulent insurance claims is on the increase, according to latest figures from Zurich Municipal.
New research has found that the number of claims identified as potentially fraudulent has "substantially" increased in the last two years. In fact, recent figures from the Association of British Insurers estimate that fraudulent claims cost the industry in excess of £1bn.
Most claims coming under investigation are in the Public Liability - `slips and trips' - category.
Zurich's fraud liaison manager, Glen Marr, is to raise the issue of fraudulent claims at next month's ALARM (Association of Local Authority Risk Managers) conference. He will be urging local authorities to recognise how rising fraud figures cost not only the insurers, but also the public purse.
Marr commented: "Fraudulent claims push up the costs for local authorities, which in turn raises the local taxpayers' council tax.
"By responding swiftly to the genuine claims and investigation the potentially fraudulent ones, Zurich Municipal can ensure savings for the local authorities, hence freeing more money for investment in the provision of front-line services."
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