NICB Review Shows Increases in Suspicious Claims

A review of suspicious insurance claims referred to the National Insurance Crime Bureau during the first half of 2009 shows increases in nearly all referral categories compared with the first half of 2008.

Source: Source: NICB | Published on September 10, 2009

A total of 41,619 “questionable claims” were referred to NICB in the first half of 2009 compared with 36,743 received during the same period in 2008. These are claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of fraud. The full report is available at www.nicb.org.

As in the previous report released last April, this review reveals an increase in questionable claims submitted to NICB member insurance companies under property, casualty, commercial, vehicle and miscellaneous referral reasons.

“While there has been modest improvement within a few categories of referrals, the overall number of questionable claims for the first half of 2009 is 13 percent higher than it was at this time last year,” said Joe Wehrle, NICB President and Chief Executive Officer.

Wehrle added, “We will aggressively investigate fraudulent claims to protect our member companies and their policyholders. But all Americans should know—whether or not they are insured by one of our 1000-plus member companies—they benefit from our efforts as our success over fraud helps keep insurance costs affordable.”

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau: headquartered in Des Plaines, IL, the NICB is the nation's leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through information analysis, investigations, training, legislative advocacy and public awareness. The NICB is supported by more than 1,000 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations.

Anyone with information concerning vehicle theft and insurance fraud can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422) or by visiting our web site at www.nicb.org.