I've noticed at work quite often people will say very loudly what insurance scams they are pulling on mobile phone insurance policies.

Do people think that the phone companies are fair game for this as the policies are often very poor and often mis-sold and they generally exploit their customers?

Or are people offended at the way people are quite prepared to admit that they are breaking the law in this way?

I'm not really sure where I stand, sometimes I think the former and sometimes the latter, just wondering what other people's opinions are.

When I got burgled everyone asked what I "added on" to the list of things stolen because "everyone does it".

Well, I have always been honest on insurance claims and it has generally paid off. I used to be with a rather dodgy home insurance company (Key Connect) who basically wouldn't pay out EVER unless the claim was completely outlandish (most of the policy turned out to be smallprint), so I just dumped them and went with Northern Rock instead. Breath of fresh air. When the telly got broke (genuine accident) I got a new one within 3 days.

I've had two mobile phones through insurance (both water damage) and it was dead easy. I've also had (mmm, lets think...) 5 I think through warrantly replacement.

Car insurance.. had 2 nicked last year from different places. Both times resolved in record time through just not mucking them about.

The police had a clampdown on this just after last christmas. Because you need a crime number, you have to report it to the police. You can then be done for 'wasting police time'. If a pattern emerges, the police will re-interview you about your 'loss', so if more than one person reports a 'mugging' in the same street....

that would be if you report it stolen, not for accidental damage.

The time some companies take to pay out is rather on the long side.

My brother had his car written off by an uninsured driver, clearly the other drivers fault, I believe the police are charging him as well.
But it's still taken about 2 months for the insurance to pay out. Which left my bro short 1 car for 2 months as the policy only covered a 5 day courtesy car.

The insurance companies are getting really clever these days. Check this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3227849.stm) out! My own opinion is that insurance fraud is wrong, like any other kind of theft. Some people seem to see the big corporations as 'fair game', however, we all end up paying increased premiums as a result.

Another point to mention is that most insurance companies will ask if you have ever had insurance refused, cancelled, or special terms imposed. A 'yes' answer will normally result in a decline of ANY cover if the reasons for said terms were dishonesty.

K x