Brits would fake home insurance claims

Five per cent of British people would consider committing fraud against a home insurance company, moneysupermarket.com research has revealed.

Respondents cited the effect of the credit crunch on home insurance budgets as the main reason for contemplating the crime, while the website also found that one per cent has already successfully made a false claim .

Among 20 to 29 year olds, 15 per cent said they would try to extort money from their home insurance company in such difficult times, while three per cent have done so already.

Julie Owens, head of home insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: The recession has certainly affected us all but faking a home insurance claim isn't the way to make ends meet. Insurance fraud of this nature increases the cost of premiums for honest Brits.

The Association of British Insurers recently said that over the past two years its members have demanded over 20 per cent more pay-outs for fire damage, which it claimed is suspicious.