Carrie Burns of Insurance Networking News reports that according to Insurance Research Council’s public opinion study, 24% of Americans think it is suitable to falsely increase a claim to compensate for high deductibles.
18% believe it to be suitable to increase claims to compensate for premiums that had been paid years prior when no claims had been filed.
23% of 18 to 34 year old males said it is acceptable, in comparison to females of the same age bracket (8%) and older males (5%).
The good news is that the Insurance Research Council is actually seeing a decline in the public acceptance of insurance fraud, with 86% of people agreeing that insurance fraud increases premiums for everyone.
66% of people wanted legislation to set boundaries for attorneys and medical providers that are looking to gain access to accident police reports for the purpose of seeking potential clients.
85% consented to taking examinations under oath if the situation arose.
80% consented to independent medical exams if the situation arose.
82% enforced that committing insurance fraud should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Even with the decrease, Elizabeth Sprinkel, Senior Vice President of the Insurance Research Council, states “the fact remains that nearly one in four Americans are tolerant of claim padding behavior that has direct implications for claim costs and the cost of insurance for consumers. Moreover, one-in-ten believe that insurance fraud doesn’t hurt anyone, indicating the need for continued public education.”