It's Enough To Make You Sick

Peter Jenkins • June 6, 2017

Massive Rise in Fraudulent Travel Claims

A "dramatic rise" in fraudulent insurance travel sickness claims, particularly in Spain, is costing British insurers hundreds of millions of pounds, it has emerged. "Persuasive" claims management firms may be to blame and it has been reported employees of some claims management firms are being paid to go on holiday and encourage people to claim.

The vast majority of claims are gastric illnesses which are blamed on the hotel for negligence in preparing their food.

Most citizens in the UK would not think of committing insurance fraud, but evidence is growing that lawyers and claims management companies are preying on holiday-makers in Spain.

Stories are emerging of some Spanish hotels refusing to accept British customers, although these stories cannot be substantiated at the time of writing. Spanish hotel staff are receiving training in evidence gathering and protection and record keeping. Completing a long form at the end of the holiday confirming you have not been ill may also be required.

The Association of British Insurers has confirmed people discovered committing insurance fraud will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, with jail a possibility. GOOD. Now I can get on and enjoy my holiday.

UPDATE: October 2017. A couple have been jailed for making false food poisoning claims for holidays taken in Majorca in 2015 and 2016. The couple admitted four counts of fraud and were sentenced to nine and fifteen months respectively. Their social media posts boasted of 'sun, laughter and fun'. The prosecution was brought by Thomas Cook.

Old Age Pension

By Peter Jenkins • February 28, 2020
The UK government recently increased the age for claiming old age pension. This was on the basis of people living longer and, perhaps at face value, not unreasonable. But was it a trick to save the government money? Figures published recently have shown life expectancy has actually started to decline. The increase in life expectancy was probably a 'blip' from the war generation and the immediate generation thereafter. People ate less, not by choice, but due to rationing. Walking was common and there was a complete absence of computer and video games. Children played out and exercised naturally. The Clean Air Act was passed. Today the situation is very different. Food has been plentiful for decades and computers and video games have been around since the mid 1980s. Vehicles pollute our towns and cities. No 'great smog' of yesteryear but the pollution is there, invisible.

Customer Review

By Peter Jenkins • November 14, 2017
Satisfied Customer Testimonial

It's a car Jim, but not as we know it

By Peter Jenkins • February 3, 2017
Over the coming decades cars, as we know them, will evolve into semi-automated vehicles. We are already seeing advances in this area that offer safety and convenience such as stop/go traffic, intelligent cruise control and self-parking. In the longer term, carmakers and technology companies see the potential to replace human drivers with fully autonomous vehicles. Who is responsible for an accident may well become what was responsible for the accident. Accidents are likely to involve a mix of human error and failure of a product or piece of software. Motor insurance is likely to undergo a transformation over the coming years with some predicting a large reduction in accidents resulting in much lower insurance premiums. We shall wait and see. My computer has crashed will take on an entirely different meaning.

The Insureminator

By Peter Jenkins • January 18, 2017
Rumours are circulating a Far East life insurer is about to replace 34 staff with artificial intelligence machines. The machines will be able to calculate payouts and have access to medical records and data to correctly calculate payments. Other insurance companies are also looking into replacing staff with artificial intelligence machines. We wonder whether callers put on hold will be told "I'll Be Back".

Noah, build me an ark

By Anton Hilton • December 23, 2016
Many people must be concerned about the recent flooding and the availability of flood insurance in the future. Having flood cover is normally a requirement of any mortgage lender, so being unable to obtain insurance cover will affect the value of the property.

It’s to your credit.....or is it?

By Anton Hilton • December 23, 2016
What is a credit card payment? It is not, as some may think, a guarantee of payment. A credit card payment only confirms the card is not reported as lost or stolen and there are sufficient funds available at the time the transaction is made.

Self-drive cars by 2020?

By Anton Hilton • December 23, 2016
The technology giant Google has revealed automated vehicles could be on the road by 2020. Is a crash-free era on the horizon? Not so according to a recent report from Lloyd’s Underwriters. “While severe accidents are caused by human error, it is rare that drivers do something blatantly in contravention of road safety, such as driving the wrong way down a motorway,” the report said. “A computer miscalculation or a faulty reading from a sensor could lead a car to do something that a human driver would instinctively realise is inappropriate.”

43% of small businesses are underinsured

By Anton Hilton • December 23, 2016
A recent study has revealed 43% of small businesses do not have adequate storm cover. With another wet winter predicted, it is important small businesses review their existing insurance arrangements and there is no better way of doing this than contacting an insurance broker.