Aviva has blocked more than 6,000 fraudulent insurance claims in the first half of 2025, preventing losses of over £60 million. This equates to more than £334,000 in fraud stopped each day.
The insurer reports that while fraud attempts are on the rise, so are the legal consequences. Prison sentences resulting from fraudulent claims detected by Aviva in 2025 have already reached a combined total of over 32 years, surpassing the total for all of 2024 by nine years.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also reported a sharp rise in impersonation scams, with nearly 5,000 incidents in the first six months of the year. Many of these scams target older people and involve fraudsters posing as the regulator or other trusted entities.
Aviva said that it continues to invest in its fraud detection operations, aiming to protect customers and reduce pressure on premiums. The company’s counter fraud team has dealt with a range of scams this year, from staged collisions to falsified documents and misleading claims.
Pete Ward (pictured above), head of claims counter fraud at Aviva, said, “As our latest figures show, we continue to detect large volumes of opportunistic and organised claims fraud. The increase in detected fraud reflects our commitment to protecting honest customers from the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of fraud.”
Ward added that the wide range of fraud seen this year highlights the importance of investigating suspicious claims.
“It is really encouraging to see that our continued investment in our fraud detection capabilities is leading to more fraudsters being caught out. If you commit fraud, you are increasingly likely to be caught and will have to face the consequences.”
Crash for cash scams remain a concern, with fraudsters deliberately causing collisions. In one case, a moped driver slowly collided with a stationary Aviva customer’s car. The claim was withdrawn after dashcam footage was provided. Other scams included the use of photoshopped documents, such as one claim dated “31 November,” and claims supported by images copied from the internet.
Some fraud attempts have involved personal injury claims. In one instance, a customer claimed life-changing injuries from slipping in a puddle. However, the claimant was later seen on a reality TV show and evidence showed them participating in physical activities, leading to the claim being stopped.
Electronic evidence has also played a role in exposing fraud. One motorist claimed their vehicle was damaged in a collision, but inconsistencies in the evidence and a review of the car’s Electronic Control Unit revealed the airbags had deployed in 2023, not during the alleged incident. The vehicle had also been previously written off.
Another growing issue is the surge in ghost broking scams, where fraudsters sell fake or invalid car insurance policies. These scams have increased by 30% over the past five years, often targeting young drivers through social media. Victims are left uninsured and at risk of financial loss and legal consequences, highlighting the need for vigilance and verification of insurance providers.
The wider insurance sector is also preparing for significant regulatory changes. From this month, the new Failure to Prevent Fraud (FTPF) offence will expand corporate liability, requiring nearly 25,000 UK businesses to implement effective fraud prevention procedures.
Insurers and brokers are anticipating increased demand for commercial crime and directors’ and officers’ liability coverage, as organisations seek to manage their exposure under the new law.
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