Rise in insurance fraud fuelled by cost of living crisis, says UK insurer

Smartphones, pictured, were among the most common items fraudulently claimed for. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

A growing number of financially squeezed households are “turning to crime” by submitting bogus insurance claims, with data revealing a sharp rise in cases over the past year.

Zurich UK, one of Britain’s biggest insurers, said the cost of living crisis was fuelling the increase in insurance fraud, where people exaggerate or make up claims for items such as jewellery and electrical goods.