Insurance fraud involves deceptive claims or actions with the aim of receiving an undue sum. This can be through false claims or exaggerated value of the claim. Insurance fraud is a crime in England and Wales. ABV Solicitors have a dedicated and specialist fraud and financial crime department with expertise to represent those accused of such offences.

What is insurance fraud?

There are three broad types of insurance fraud.

• False claims
• Exaggerated claims and
• Pre-planned events which are made to look like accidents.

What are the common types of insurance fraud?

The common areas of insurance fraud are prosecuted according to the following lines:

• Property damage fraud– Dishonest claims of arson, mould or damp are among the many property damage frauds. The prosecution may allege that individuals may set fire to a room, purposefully flood rooms or spray water into poorly ventilated spaces to encourage rotting.

• Motor insurance fraud –A claim is made which falsifies or exaggerates the damage to a car, for personal injury or the car’s contents. A car is deliberately made to collide with another so that a claim can be made -’cash for crash’. Sometimes a car is claimed to be ‘lost’ or stolen so that insurers will replace it for a newer one.

• Personal injury fraud – The prosecution contend that an individual has falsified or exaggerates the personal injury suffered so that they may claim against insurers. Sometimes this involves the individual appearing to injure themselves in public in the hope that witnesses will support their account.

• Life insurance fraud – The prosecution suggests that those who will soon die failed to disclose long-term health conditions or terminal illness so that their family receive an insurance payout on their death.

• Employers’ liability fraud – The prosecution assert that a business is exaggerating or falsifying the facts of an injury or death in the course of employment.

What will happen if I am arrested for insurance fraud? 

If you are arrested for this offence, you will be taken to a police station for the purpose of being interviewed under caution. Among other rights you have the right to be represented at this interview by a solicitor free of charge. This is usually a duty solicitor nominated by the police. You also have however the right to nominate a solicitor of your choice. The solicitor will be able to obtain some information from the investigators about why you have been arrested and will be able to discuss this with you and provide you with advice prior to the interview.

ABV Solicitors have expert insurance fraud solicitors who can attend the police station on short notice nationwide.

What should I do if I receive a letter from a crime enforcement agency such as the police, HMRC, FCA or SFO requesting me to contact them to arrange a voluntary interview? 

Upon receipt of such a letter it is critical that you seek the assistance of a solicitor immediately. ABV Solicitors will allocate a specialist insurance fraud solicitor for you and make arrangements on your behalf to liaise with the investigators and facilitate an interview at your convenience.

This will allow sufficient time for you to arrange a face-to-face meeting with a specialist solicitor in advance of any interview so you can be advised, and fully prepared on what to expect.

We are here to fully support you and those concerned during this difficult time. Obtaining immediate legal advice can make all the difference to the outcome of the investigation.

What if I am released under investigation or released on bail for insurance fraud and need a solicitor or wish for a second opinion?

This can be an extremely stressful time for you and your family.

You may have already been interviewed and released on bail or released under investigation. You may have not used a solicitor at all during your interview or are not confident with the solicitor who represented you and require a specialist solicitor with experience in this area.

Whatever the situation, ABV Solicitors have a dedicated team of experts who are experienced in this field and who can provide you with sound advice and assistance.

What if I am charged with an offence of insurance fraud?

If you have been charged with insurance fraud you must seek the assistance of a defence specialist immediately. ABV Solicitors have a dedicated Fraud and Financial Crime department consisting of experienced solicitors who are specialist in this field.

ABV Solicitors can provide immediate advice and assistance and assist you during this stressful time.

Restraint Orders and Account Freezing Orders 

Law enforcement agencies such as the police, HMRC, FCA or SFO often use ancillary powers in addition to making arrests and search warrants. These include applying for Restraint Orders or Account Freezing Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The purpose of this is to prevent those under suspicion to dissipate assets which may have been acquired through the commission of committing offences.

These Orders are draconian and can cause severe disruption to the lives of individuals and those connected to them including their businesses.

ABV Solicitors have a dedicated team of experts within their Fraud and Financial Crime Department who specialise in tackling these Orders.

If any of the above circumstances apply to you or someone you know contact ABV Solicitors Fraud and Financial Crime Department immediately on 0344 587 9996 or visit our website at www.abvsolicitors.co.uk

ABV Solicitors are available 24/7 and offer their professional expertise and assistance nationwide.