Aviva has issued a stark warning that 18,400 drivers could see their car insurance policies cancelled as part of a major crackdown on fraudulent claims. The insurer uncovered a record £230 million in bogus claims last year, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to fabricate accident scenes and documents.
Rise in Sophisticated Fraud
Pete Ward, head of claims counter fraud at Aviva, said: “Fraud isn’t a victimless crime – it drives up the cost of insurance for everyone. We’re seeing fraud become more sophisticated, from exaggerated claims to the use of AI-generated documents.” He added that the company has a duty to ensure honest customers do not foot the bill for dishonesty.
Aviva noted a rise in claims for vehicle damage, repair costs, credit hire, and injury, often using wider cost pressures as justification. A growing number of these claims are supported by AI-generated images and manipulated documents.
AI Tools Used to Fabricate Scenes
The insurer found that scammers are using AI tools to create fake accident scenes and damage imagery. Aviva is now deploying advanced analytics and AI-enabled tools, backed by human oversight, to identify suspect claims earlier in the process.
Professional “enablers” are also increasingly involved in property claims, inflating repair costs, contents values, and scopes of work. The figures cover all brands under the Aviva umbrella, including Direct Line.
Ward emphasised: “By detecting and preventing these claims, we’re helping protect honest customers from the cost of fraud.”
