Aviva is using Hunter, a fraud detection tool from Experian, on its commercial motor book and is also performing strong application fraud checks across all of its products, including Fast Trade Mini Fleet. Hunter screens key underwriting data – such as company name, address and vehicles to be covered – against shared and proprietary Aviva fraud databases.
The end result, says Tom Gardiner, Aviva’s Head of Fraud, is that fraudsters will not be able to access Aviva products or impact Aviva customers or brokers.
“Screening our commercial motor book is another significant step toward closing the front door to fraud,” Gardiner said. “We already successfully screen on our personal lines motor book, with some great results, such as helping us to identify a large-scale application fraud ring which set up policies with the aim of making bogus claims. We were able to avoid the policies and avoid fraudulent claims worth more than £3m. In 2015 we identified over 11,000 instances of personal motor application fraud.”
Aviva’s policy screening identifies features or behaviour which may indicate suspicious or fraudulent applications. It also checks against previous known and suspect fraud. This additional layer of security adds to Aviva’s fraud detection capabilities, allowing the insurer to detect and identify fraud earlier and supporting its holistic approach to fraud prevention.
Application fraud can range from deliberately misrepresenting claims history, convictions and addresses in order to access cheap cover, to buying policies with the purpose of making bogus claims. Screening commercial motor policies will reduce the effect that fraud can have on commercial motor premiums for genuine customers.
Tom Gardiner said, “Fraud is not specific to personal lines, but our expertise on private motor is helping us prevent and detect fraud on our commercial motor book. We are already detecting cases previously avoided for policy fraud in our personal motor book who have then set up a bogus company to insure their vehicles under a commercial motor product to hide their identity.
“The fight against fraud begins at the front door. The committed fraudster will use any front door to access cheap motor cover or to make fraudulent claims. By screening all of our commercial and personal motor business we are slamming those doors shut, protecting our brokers and genuine customers, and keeping premiums low for innocent motorists.”
Members of the public can join the fight against insurance fraud by reporting what they know to the Cheatline. Powered by Crimestoppers, the Cheatline is a free service that enables members of the public to anonymously report information or suspicions about insurance fraud. All information provided to the Cheatline is treated in the strictest confidence. Cheatline is on 0800 422 0421, or online at www.insurancefraudbureau.org/cheatline. |
