In Norway, insurance companies are experiencing an increasing trend of insurance fraud, This year, Norwegians have defrauded companies of over 200 million kroner. Economic difficulties may be a contributing factor to this increase, according to the industry.

Fraud methods are becoming more sophisticated and digital, with people submitting pictures from the internet as proof of damage they claim to have suffered. Storebrand Insurance has noticed an increase in such digital fraud attempts, especially with home insurance. Insurance fraudsters use manipulated or forged documents and receipts to support their claims. One concrete example is a customer who submitted a picture of a broken TV that was later found identical online.

Stine Neverdal from Finance Norway Insurance Operations points out that digital fraud is increasing significantly. So far this year, fraud totaling NOK 230 million has been uncovered, which is an increase from the same period last year. It is estimated that fraud in 2023 will reach a total of 491 million kroner, which will break records. Insurance companies report these cases to the police and the most serious cases can result in prison sentences.

There is also an age trend, with more younger people under the age of 29 engaging in fraud. According to Neverdal, fraud constitutes theft from the community and undermines the trust between insurance customer and company. Andreas Jacobsen from Storebrand Insurance emphasizes the importance of honest documentation in order to trust customers' claims.

Insurance companies also experience car insurance fraud. One example involved a person reporting a traffic accident with a deer. However, an analysis revealed that the car had been driven into a tree on purpose on two separate occasions. The verdict from Buskerud District Court showed that the car owner lied about previous damage to the car, but was still convicted of fraud.

Financial difficulties are considered to increase the incentive for insurance fraud. Vera Sønsthagen from Gjensidige Forsikring notes that poor finances can lead people to exploit real claims or invent claims that never happened. She emphasizes that few people abuse the system, but that it is important to have systems in place to prevent fraud.

In the face of these challenges, insurers are vigilant in preventing and detecting insurance fraud to protect the integrity of the insurance system and ensure fairness for their honest customers.

yourComapny can help with insurance fraud

Sad news from Norway shows an increase in the number of insurance customers trying to scam their way to wrongful payouts. YourCompany ApS helps insurance companies in Denmark uncover and prevent fraud. In Denmark, we are also seeing a worrying trend of people trying to obtain compensation they are not entitled to. At YourCompany ApS, we work to ensure transparency and fair results through thorough insurance investigations and preferably in a way where the policyholder feels well treated.

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Source: NRK