It is common knowledge that fraud is on the increase, as it has cost the Insurance Industry millions of rands during 2013 and you, the honest client, unfortunately have to bear the brunt by being faced with premium increases. People think it is easy to submit fraudulent claims, but they must be aware that we do carry out proper and sometimes lengthy investigations. In a recent incident, a person made derogatory remarks about the time it took to investigate a motor accident claim. He went as far as to call for a meeting with our Managing Director and continued with his remarks and threats. Whether he thought that we would merely bow down and pay his claim, we do not know, but it was confirmed in the end that he in fact lodged a fraudulent claim. Not only did he admit that he bribed a policeman, but also that he was well over the legal limit when he smashed his car.   Through his conduct, he will not ever be able to have the privilege of insuring his property ever again. We intend laying fraud charges against him, which means he will also have a criminal record. Fraud is unfortunately not restricted to motor losses. We find that claims under the other sections of the policy, especially householders’ contents are overstated. People are claiming for bigger and better than the items they had and go to the lengths to claim for items they never possessed. The same applies to the All Risks section, as we have found that the items claimed for are deliberately damaged. As fraud is on the increase we have no alternative but to protect the honest client’s interest. Damaged items will be inspected to establish the cause and proof of ownership must be provided in respect of stolen items. We view fraudulent claims in a very serious light and will most certainly take the necessary action to bring anyone guilty of this conduct to book.