Inflating Claims Seen as Fair Game
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies has published a report by Professor Susanne Karstedt and Dr Stephen Farrall, of Keele University, which claims that the British middle classes are showing an unprecedented level of contempt for the law. Two thirds of those surveyed admitted to offences such as fraudulently increasing insurance claims and tax evasion. Some were determined to take advantage of an insurance claim to improve their homes, whilst others considered a fraudulent claim revenge for high insurance premiums.
The most commonly occurring misdemeanour in the surveyed was paying tradesmen cash-in-hand to negotiate a good price and avoid VAT. Inflating insurance claims was also widespread, as was taking items, such as stationery, from work. In their defence, those surveyed said they justified their behaviour by treating it as a trade off against injustices. In the case of insurance claims, inflating the claim was seen as a reaction against exemption clauses to be found in policy small print and over-priced premiums.
The academics who undertook the research claim that the pursuit of self-interest and profit are on the increase in the middle classes and that moral standards have been eroded by a dog-eat-dog mentality. Of those surveyed, 82% said they had been the victim of a crime or shady practices.
Category: Insurance News
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