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What do I do if I suspect insurance fraud?

If you observe illegal or unsafe activity you should immediately report it to the local law enforcement authorities.

If you suspect that someone has or intends to commit insurance fraud of any nature, you should:

• Contact Unitrin Specialty’s SIU by calling the Unitrin Fraud Hotline at 1- 866- FRAUD U C or 1-866-372-8382.

• Contact the National Insurance Crime Bureau at 1-800-T-E-L-N-I-C-B or online at www.nicb.org.

The impact of Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud is a crime that contributes to higher insurance rates for everyone. Property/Casualty fraud costs consumers in excess of $20 billion dollars every year. Last year the average American family paid approximately $300 dollars in increased premiums due to insurance fraud.  In 2005 we estimate that Unitrin Specialty’s SIU investigations resulted in the denial or withdrawal of $6,000,000 in non-meritorious claims, which will not negatively impact our agents or our customers.  

Unitrin Specialty established the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to thwart these insurance criminals.  The SIU, a team of professional investigators, was developed within the framework of the claims department to provide specialized training and investigative techniques for the adjusters. The SIU is dedicated solely to addressing the problem of suspicious claims.  The SIU conducts thorough, unbiased investigations while preserving the rights of our insured, expediting the payment of legitimate claims and resisting those claims without merit.   The unit coordinates its investigations with the NICB, state insurance fraud bureaus and law enforcement agencies to secure the prosecution of insurance criminals.

Tips to avoid being a victim

• Keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you. Criminals will stop abruptly for no reason, causing you to rear-end them.

• Ensure the police are called to the accident scene. Get the officer’s name and insist on a copy of the police report.

• Carry a disposable camera in your vehicle to document accident damage and the number of people in the other vehicle.

• Watch out for “runners” or “cappers” who show up at the accident scene passing our cards or literature for doctors and / or attorneys.

• Avoid doctors who suggest filing an injury claim when you are not really injured.

• Avoid repair facilities that offer to inflate the repair estimate to cover your deductible.

Protect your Identity

• Guard your Social Security number; use it only when necessary.

• DO NOT have your date of birth, driver license number or Social Security number printed on your checks. 

• Shred all documents that contain your personal information before placing them in the trash.

• DO NOT give your personal, financial or other identifying information in response to telephone callers or email requests.

• Check your credit report at least once a year for errors.

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