While insurance holders could always report concerns about fraudulent claims to gardaí, the difference is that now there will be a dedicated unit that will specialise in the area. Insurers have blamed soaring premiums and a reluctance to insure businesses with high footfall on fraudulent claims and high injury payouts. The idea is to have the bureau vet and assess all ­suspected fraudulent claims. A new protocol on insurance fraud is due to be signed in mid-September by Insurance Ireland and the GNECB, led by Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan. The Alliance for Insurance Reform has been calling for the setting up of a Garda insurance fraud unit for a number of years.

Source: Irish Independent August 30, 2021 01:30 UTC