Life Insurance Fraud Rare
Financial Advice / 11th December 2007
The arrest of John and Anne Darwin, the 'missing canoist', for potential life insurance fraud, has ignited interest in the sector's efforts to prevent people from fraudulently claiming on their life insurance policies.

It has been suggested that instances of life insurance fraud are rare in the UK because the industry takes strong measures to prevent fraudulent claims being made.

However, Jonathan French, a spokesperson for Association of British Insurers (ABI), explained that "life insurance companies have a number of checks and balances in place to minimise fraud and there are very low levels of fraud in the life insurance arena".

He added: "Insurance companies will carry out careful checks where it is appropriate to make sure fraudulent activity does not slip through the net."

John Darwin was believed to have died five years ago after a canoeing accident but walked into a police station last week, prompting claims that he and his wife may have carried out an elaborate scam.