Insurance Fraud - A Victimless Crime?
Insurance fraud is often perceived as being different from other types of crime as it is viewed as a victimless crime – no one is hurt. In the overall scheme of things, the making of a false claim or the exaggeration of a genuine claim by a few thousand Euro is seen as the proverbial drop in the ocean of the finances of insurance companies. However, the reality is very different. While most claims are genuine, a small minority of people make fraudulent and exaggerated claims. Insurance fraud costs insurance companies in Ireland an estimated €100 million annually which ends up being paid by honest policyholders.