Honest insurance policyholders can now get their own back on insurance cheats by using a free confidential telephone 'cheatline', at the Association of British Insurers.

The Association's latest anti-fraud initiative comes as figures released today reveal that fraudulent claims cost insurers £645 million last year - nearly £2 million every day. This adds almost an extra £1 a week to the average family's annual insurance bill.

Information received about dishonest claims will be in complete anonymity. The Association will then alert insurers to enable them to cross-check their claims records and, if necessary, investigate further.

Anonymous tip-offs which have already exposed fraudsters include:

• A motorist claimed that his vehicle had been stolen, whereas it had been passed to a friend who was dismantling it for spares. The insurer was on the verge of issuing the settlement cheque when the fraud was discovered.



• A woman who claimed for stolen possessions following a burglary was caught out when a phone call revealed the name of the relative who was storing the possessions while she awaited payment from her insurer.



• A man claiming to be unable to work following a neck injury was caught out taking part in his hobby - windsurfing.

Tony Baker, ABI's Deputy Director General, said:

"Many insurance cheats cannot help bragging about their crime, usually to those who face more expensive insurance premiums as a result. Now, through this cheatline, insurers can make use of valuable information to help expose even more fraudulent claims. Using industry databases and anti-fraud intelligence, we can take action and so help keep the costs of insurance down for all honest policyholders."

Notes

1. The free confidential cheatline number is 0800 328 2550.



2. Enquiries to:
   Vic Rance 020 7216 7440
   Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410
   



3. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.