Keoghs has established two new teams within its Counter-Fraud Services unit.
The law firm says it is meeting the challenges posed by growing levels of fraud and its increasing sophistication, as reflected by the 40% rise in new instructions received in the past 12 months.
The new teams are specialist in nature and will work alongside the firm’s motor and liability, fraud rings and intelligence services teams.
The “first party” unit will focus on suspicious claims made by policyholders across a range of business lines, including household, motor fire/theft, commercial property and creditor insurance.
The “complex” team will deal with technically complex and high value suspicious claims, including strategic litigation.
A number of senior members of staff have been recruited including Anthony Dale, formerly head of the Manchester fraud team at DWF.
The rise in insurance fraud has been alarming, with the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reporting in April that its members were detecting record levels.
The body also published research that suggests one in five UK adults would not rule out making a fraudulent claim in the future.
Last year, the level of fraudulent claims increased by an annual 17%, to 107,000; in value terms the rise was much steeper, at 30%.
Home insurance fraud was particularly prevalent with 55,000 false/exaggerated claims detected by ABI members.
Gill Montia
Insurance Daily
