“Better have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” The latter applied to a woman in Leeds whose business goods were damaged when the uninsured warehouse she was renting was flooded.
She did have cover, but for her business premises in a different location. Her next move? Call up insurance provider
AXA and try to claim £107,000 while planning to transport the damaged goods to her insured property. The woman also tried to get the policy amended.
The City of London Police – whose Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) conducted the investigation – said Ruchi Dhir was ordered by Leeds Crown Court to pay £7,500 in compensation and was handed a 16-month suspended prison sentence for fraud by false representation.
AXA referred the case to IFED when the insurer suspected fraud following a site visit to Dhir’s business premises where only a small amount of damaged stock was found. It was later discovered that the claimant had rented a trailer to bring the items to her business address.
According to the City of London Police, the warehouse owner was also able to verify that photographs of the damaged stock were taken in the warehouse and not within the Harewood International Products LLP premises.
“Dhir took advantage of her insurer and tried to claim a significant amount of money. Luckily they were able to recognise that this was a bogus claim and that Dhir was trying to pull the wool over their eyes,” said lead investigator Detective Constable Kevin Hughes.
Judith Waterhouse, head of commercial property claims, AXA UK, commented: “Some might think that insurers have deep pockets and stretching the truth is acceptable.”
She stressed that insurance fraud is against the law, adding that “the sentence handed down in this case – albeit suspended – should act as deterrent to anyone thinking about submitting a fraudulent claim.”
Hughes thanked AXA and the others who helped in the case. “This result goes to show that those who commit insurance fraud will be forced to face the consequences.”
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