Some links that talk about what homeowners do in the way of fraud. The one survey that states 25% think it is ok to defraud insurance companies I find disturbing. One can only wonder how this view that the carrier is the fat cat and deserves to be taken to the cleaners came to be. While mistakes can be made by all parties this has to get old for these staff adjusters seeing it day in and day out yet not to be able to do a lot about it in many cases due to the lack of evidence that will stand up in court. Knowing something and proving something are two different things.
As some other post indicate the news media and the high profile can make a lot of news by claiming wrong doing but the carriers who are under daily attack by their own customers often have their hands tied because it they go out making wild accusations then they can be sued.
Maybe the IA Model Licensing Act will meet its objectives but if many homeowners view ripping off carriers as being OK that fact has to make life harder for both the adjuster and carrier.
Seven Arrested in Homeowner Fraud Case
News Release Date: 6/27/2002
Category: Fraud
Seven people were arrested today in Houston in connection with an insurance fraud scheme in which homeowners allegedly intentionally flooded their homes and filed claims that cost insurance companies about $5 million.
"It´s unfortunate that individuals would try to take advantage of homeowner insurance policies when we´re already facing rising rates because of water and mold- related claims. Let these arrests be a warning to others that filing fraudulent insurance claims will not go unpunished," Texas Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor said. "Insurance fraud hurts all of us. The financial loss starts with the insurance companies but eventually it is paid out of the pockets of every Texas homeowner."
Make your fraud report by calling our toll free number, 1-800-259-5300, and asking for the Fraud Unit, or by calling the Fraud Unit directly at 225-342-4956. Or, fill out your report on the Internet by going to our website, www.ldi.state.la.us, and
clicking on Report Fraud.
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2005/06/20/56303.htm
Fla. Investigators Encounter Increased Fraud as an After-Effect of 2004 HurricanesBy
Dave Kaiser
June 20, 2005
Insurance fraud has increased dramatically in Florida as an after-effect of the 2004 hurricane season Robert Elliott, a lead investigator with Nationwide Insurance's Special Investigation Unit told law enforcement investigators, special investigation unit investigators, attorneys and claims adjustors attending the Annual Florida Insurance Fraud Educational Committee meetings last week in Orlando, Fla.
http://www.insurancefraud.org/releases_2001.htm several articles on the subject
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos125.htm
Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators
Adjusters and examiners investigate insurance claims, negotiate settlements, and authorize payments; appraisers assess the cost or value of an insured item; investigators deal with claims about which there is a question of liability and where fraud or criminal activity is suspected. Licensing and continuing education requirements vary by State.
College graduates have the best opportunities; competition will be keen for jobs as investigators, because this occupation attracts many qualified people.
http://newsroom.accenture.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=3970
12 February 2003
One-Fourth of Americans Say it’s Acceptable to Defraud Insurance Companies, Accenture Survey Finds
NEW YORK; Feb. 12, 2003 –Nearly one in four U.S. adults say that overstating the value of claims to insurance companies is acceptable, and more than one in 10 say they approve of submitting insurance claims for items that were not lost or damaged or for treatments that were not provided, according to a survey released today by Accenture.
http://www.statefarm.com/about/media/backgrounder/insback.asp
Insurance fraud: everyone pays the price