A leading boat insurance provider has seen more fraudulent claims in 2009 than during the whole of last year.
There has been a sharp increase in boat insurance fraud during the first part of the year, according to new figures from Navigators & General.
The pleasurecraft insurer - part of the Zurich Group - revealed that the cost of fraudulent claims between January and April 2009 has exceeded the total amount seen for the whole of last year. Navigators also suggested that the economic downturn could be leading to increased fraud attempts.
"Whilst the vast majority of our customers are honest and opposed to this kind of behaviour, it would appear that increasing financial pressures brought about by the credit crunch is causing a rise in fraudulent claims," said the firm's boss James Roberts.
Some of the fake claims involved included thefts, the exaggeration of stolen items or even the loss of the whole boat through fire or theft. In one case a customer claimed for £20,000 worth of repairs for damage to his vessel - however, Navigators was then accidentally sent some pre-claim invoices which revealed that the boat was actually to receive a general refurbishment.
"We have a very experienced team of claims professionals who work with our fraud investigation team to ensure that these claims are easily separated from those made by honest claimants and to ensure this activity does not add any unnecessary cost to our customers' premiums," Mr Roberts added.
