Life Insurance fraud is often the subject of thrilling star studded books and movies but in 2007 a man named John Darwin made headlines when he was discovered alive, five years after he was said to have died. Initially the reappearance of Darwin was considered a miraculous and joyful occasion. He claimed to have been suffering from amnesia but soon cracks began to emerge. Soon after the story broke it was revealed he had faked his death, with the help of his wife and then secretly lived next door to his family. During the five year period he even obtained a passport and travelled to Panama. The story made for a compiling read for many reasons: the nature of the crime, the boldness of the subsequent living arrangements but also the fact that such an unassuming couple could participate in such a daring endeavour.
The Darwins were middle aged; he had been a teacher and later a prison officer. Neither had used the money they claimed to buy flash cars or luxury products rather their motives were reported as an attempt to escape spiralling debts and a desire to move to Panama. During the initial coverage of the story many sympathised with the Darwins. Their modest lifestyle and down to earth appearance appealed to many people who face similar financial strains. Insurance fraud is often considered a victimless crime particularly during times of recession. Insurance companies are often portrayed as unscrupulous in their attempts to boost profits and there is quite a bit of evidence to corroborate this claim. However, it is individuals, as in this case, who are frequently the perpetrators of insurance fraud. Car insurance companies are probably one of the most frequently targeted areas of this industry. As for being labelled a victimless crime, it is clearly not the case as the costs of these crimes hit the pockets of the policy holders. In 2009 it was estimated that fraudulent claims add around £40 to the average policy. The minor collisions that are exaggerated for a claim cost car insurance companies considerable amounts every year.
The desire to escape the humdrum, the thrill of creating an elaborate hoax and the inevitable discovery of the crime are the perfect ingredients for tabloid newspapers and best selling paperbacks. It would make for far less racy reading and viewing if the story line chartered the initial mundane task of carefully selecting and buying an insurance package.
While faking death is generally associated with the tired plot lines of sensational soap operas the real life stories amaze and astonish the public in equal measure. However, in real life it is far more likely that car insurance companies are paying out varying levels of fraudulent claims. Drivers of all ages have been caught out bending the truth as car insurance companies have established and rigorous means of investigation. To compare between different car insurance companies click here.