Shop Insurance Canada News

Aviva Canada has published a report that find customers around Canada are concerned by levels of auto insurance fraud in the country, which ultimately costs them.

When a fraudster tricks an insurance provider into paying a claim, the cost usually finds its way back to the consumer. When total auto insurance fraud totals billions of dollars, companies redirect the loss onto consumers in the form of higher premiums. This is at least one significant reason why Ontario’s auto premiums are higher than anywhere else, fraud in the province is rife.

In its "Crash, Cash and Backlash: Aviva Fraud Report 2017" report, Aviva Canada found Manitobans are the weariest of fraud, with 59 per cent of participants believing one quarter of insurance claims are fraudulent.

The report is the first in what Aviva says will be an annual study into auto insurance fraud. Aviva Canada has been among the most proactive insurers in combatting fraud in Ontario, setting up a specific unit and reporting on fraud cases that have been discovered and punished.

"Honest consumers are paying out of pocket an estimated $2 billion a year in added costs for criminal frauds being perpetrated on the auto insurance system. It's time to fight back. This report shows that Canadians agree with us," said Greg Somerville, President and CEO, Aviva Canada.

"Aviva Canada is fighting fraud on behalf of all those honest drivers who are paying higher premiums to fund the fraudulent activities of a small minority of individuals ripping off the system. We asked Canadians what they thought about auto insurance fraud issues, and the message you sent us in our national public opinion poll came across loud and clear," Mr. Somerville added.

Key findings of the Aviva Fraud Report 2017

• 81% of Canadians feel that the increase in their insurance premiums is due to fraudulent vehicle repairs, vehicle theft or personal injury claims.
• 67% feel that cracking down on fraud would reduce their current auto insurance premiums.
• 77% are supportive of government agencies and law enforcement allocating more time and resources to policing and prosecuting Canadians who have submitted fraudulent claims.
• 50% of Canadians believe there is too much advertising encouraging people to use personal injury lawyers; meanwhile 60% believe that personal injury lawyers are required in only a "small number of cases."