Council Crackdown on Bogus Insurance Claims

Date published: 09/09/2004

Rochdale Council is joining forces with other North-West local authorities and The Audit Commission in a bid to crackdown on fraudulent insurance claims.

Local Authorities are having to deal with increasing numbers of compensation claims. 1100 claims for tripping up on pavements and roads were made against Rochdale Council last year.

Whilst the council fully supports the right of genuine claimants, it is unfortunate that a number of the claims handled are exaggerated or even fraudulent. Insurance bosses suspect some people may be making multiple claims for the same accident either in different locations or different parts of the region.

Now when a claim is made the details will be passed to the Audit Commission, so that they can cross-check claims to ensure that duplicate claims are not being made.

Solicitors, Claims Agents and individuals making claims will be informed by letter that these checks are being made. Details of claims will remain confidential under the Data Protection Act.

Mark Nutter, Risk and Emergency Planning Co-ordinator explains that this could save Authorities thousands of pounds: "If money is paid out again and again to the same person this is an unnecessary drain on public funds, which results in poorer quality or reduced levels of service for local people. It also causes delays in processing genuine claims"

"Every claim will be considered on its merits, so in genuine cases people have no need to worry".

Anyone who has details of fraudulent claims being made against The Council can report their concerns to an information line on 01706 865438 or 01706 865670. All information will be treated as confidential.