Insurance Fraud: How Scams Work and How to Spot Them

When someone files a fake claim, exaggerates damage, or stages an accident, they’re committing insurance fraud, a deliberate deception to get money from an insurance company. It’s not just big-time criminals—it’s neighbors, coworkers, even people who think they’re just "getting back what they paid for." And it drives up premiums for everyone. This isn’t theoretical. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates insurance fraud, a deliberate deception to get money from an insurance company costs U.S. consumers over $40 billion a year. That’s $400 per household. And it’s growing faster than ever, thanks to new tech that makes faking claims easier—and new tools that make catching them possible.

Insurance scams, fraudulent claims or misrepresentations made to collect insurance benefits come in many forms. A driver slams on the brakes to cause a rear-end collision. A homeowner films water damage after a storm, then claims it happened months ago. A chiropractor bills for 20 visits that never happened. Even claims fraud, false or inflated reports submitted to collect insurance payouts in health, auto, or home insurance follows the same pattern: lie, submit, collect. But the system isn’t blind. Companies now use AI to spot patterns—like a person filing five claims in six months, or a repair shop that always charges $300 more than market rate. Regulators are catching on too. Insurtech regulation, rules governing how technology-driven insurance companies operate and report data is tightening, forcing firms to prove their algorithms aren’t just biased—they’re accurate.

What does this mean for you? If you’ve ever thought, "I could just say I lost my phone and get a new one," or "The mechanic said it’s fine to bump up the repair estimate," you’re flirting with fraud. And it’s not harmless. It’s a felony. But it’s also not just about the bad actors. The real story is how quickly fraud detection is evolving. From telematics that track your driving behavior to AI that cross-checks medical bills against hospital records, the game has changed. You don’t need to be a detective to stay safe. You just need to know what to look for: too-good-to-be-true offers, pressure to file fast, or a provider who insists on cash payments. The posts below break down real cases, explain how fraudsters think, and show you how to protect yourself—without becoming a suspect.

Fraud Detection in Insurance: How AI Stops Scams Before They Cost Millions

AI is transforming insurance fraud detection by spotting scams humans miss - from inflated claims to fake accidents. Learn how it works, what it saves, and why it’s the future of claims integrity.

3 November 2025