Research from Ageas UK and YouGov uncovers the public’s attitudes towards insurance fraud. The study found that nearly one in five people (19%) believe it’s justifiable not to disclose the full truth on an insurance application - a figure that rises to 21% among those with motor insurance. This suggests a minority are willing to bend the rules, particularly when it comes to car insurance.
The real-world prevalence of fraudulent activity and the need for continued vigilance across the industry is highlighted by the research’s findings that 12% of respondents admitted to either having committed insurance fraud themselves or know someone who has.
The research also shows that 8% of people think it is acceptable to fail to disclose accurate information when applying for insurance and that amongst those with home insurance, one in ten thinks inflating the cost of damage and the price of the insured goods are acceptable.
Commenting on the findings, Katie Davies, Director of Underwriting Services and Fraud at Ageas UK, said:
“These results show that while most people recognise the seriousness of insurance fraud, there remains a notable proportion who see some forms of dishonesty as justifiable. This not only undermines trust in the insurance system but can also lead to higher premiums for everyone. At Ageas, we are committed to tackling fraud through a combination of advanced technology and robust investigation - ensuring genuine customers are protected and fraudsters are held to account.”
Insurance fraud doesn’t just impact insurers and policyholders - brokers are also on the frontline. From verifying claims to navigating regulatory responsibilities, brokers face increasing pressure to detect and prevent fraudulent activity. The operational and reputational risks they carry make fraud a shared challenge across the entire insurance ecosystem.
Mike Hallam, Head of Technical Services at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), said:
“There are multiple impacts on brokers from fraud. These may include assisting insurers in proving whether a claim is genuine or not, and if customers make false representations this can lead to problems with policy renewals as well as claims. There is also now additional regulation on brokers from the Consumer Duty, meaning they have to have sufficient processes in place to detect and prevent fraud. All this leads to extra costs to brokers in dealing with claims and combatting fraud. There are also potential reputational issues arising from illegal insurance intermediaries who leave customers uninsured or a legitimate broker’s name associated with the crime of fraud which clearly could affect regulated brokers’ reputations with customers.”
Ageas UK continues to invest in cutting-edge fraud detection systems, including forensic authentication and AI-driven analysis, to identify suspicious activity and safeguard the integrity of its claims process.
This research was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Ageas to explore public attitudes and behaviours around insurance fraud. It combined an online survey of 2,048 UK adults (fieldwork: 31 January – 11 February 2025) with in-depth qualitative interviews (fieldwork: 10–21 February 2025) involving 16 participants identified as having a predisposition to commit insurance fraud. The sample included both motor and home insurance policyholders, and results were weighted to be nationally representative by age, gender, and region.