If findings of a recent survey are anything to go by, it looks like it’s time insurance fraudsters in Ireland got what they deserved.
Commissioned by Liberty Mutual Insurance and conducted by Red C Research, the poll involved over a thousand drivers in the British neighbour, whose insurance industry has recommended the creation of a dedicated fraud unit within the Garda Síochána – much like the UK’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), which is hosted by the City of London Police.
According to The Irish Times, 95% of survey respondents support the move to punish perpetrators of insurance fraud, with 51% backing that they be charged. In addition, 68% of those polled want monetary fines for convicted fraudsters while other penalties include community service and imprisonment.
Fraudsters range from ghost brokers to crash-for-cash culprits.
Meanwhile Liberty customer & markets director Deirdre Ashe, referring to IFED, was quoted by the publication as saying: “That’s the model in the UK and it’s working well.”
Established in 2012, the specialist police unit is funded by the Association of British Insurers and Lloyd’s of London members.
