The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
January 2008
About 525 words
Stop insurance fraud: Call Manitoba Public Insurance’s TIPS Line
An estimated $500 million is paid out annually by home, car and business insurers for claims containing elements of fraud, according to a study released recently by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.
Honest Manitobans can do their part in the battle against auto insurance fraud with a simple phone call to Manitoba Public Insurance’s TIPS Line: 985-8477 (Winnipeg), or 1-877-985-8477 (rural Manitoba).
In its commitment to keep insurance premiums the lowest in Canada, Manitoba Public Insurance maintains a proactive approach in battling auto insurance fraud. A dedicated anti-fraud team, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), handles thousands of files yearly.
“Nearly $2-million has been saved over the last five years thanks to calls to the TIPS Line,” said Tim Arnason, Director, Special Investigations.
“There have been dozens of people charged and convicted by the justice system thanks to those calls. Honest Manitobans shouldn’t have to pay for the actions of a few dishonest people.”
The SIU is responsible for investigating suspicious claims that expose the corporation to financial risk and fraud, explained Arnason. The unit consists of 23 investigators, the majority of whom are former senior law enforcement officers with a wealth of investigative experience.
The unit is also responsible for maintaining a fraud database and is in the process of developing a more detailed Intelligence Database. The SIU supports Crime Stoppers and maintains strong working relationships with law enforcement agencies provincially and nationally.
In fact, their investigations will occasionally involve cooperative efforts with international law enforcement agencies. Thanks to the skill and persistence of the SIU investigators, the public auto insurer last year saved over $11 million. (This figure is based on money recovered and fraudulent claims denied.)
Each investigator brings a unique set of skills. Investigators are then assigned to work in specialized areas such as bodily injury, hit and run, arson or organized crime activity.
Auto insurance fraudsters come in all shapes, sizes and ages, said Arnason. While many fraudsters are motivated by the thought of easy money, others commit the crime simply because of bad advice or poor judgment.
“In the situation of bodily injury fraud, there’s usually an original injury,” said Arnason. “But at some point the person makes the decision to return to work and continue collecting payments, which is illegal, or they fake being injured in order to continue receiving payments.”
Some fraudulent claimants aren’t overly discreet with their activities. Due to injuries received in a crash, one woman began collecting disability payments from Manitoba Public Insurance. She insisted she was too injured to return to work. However, she could be seen on a regular basis doing acrobatic flips on the family’s trampoline, riding her ATV and playing soccer with her children in the park. Thanks to a call to the TIPS Line, the woman was eventually charged and convicted of fraud.
Manitoba’s justice system takes a dim view of fraudsters. Last year the courts handed out a total of $75,000 in fines, while ordering restitution of $177,000.
“Honest Manitobans are encouraged to do their part in this battle against auto insurance fraud,” said Arnason.
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© 2008 Manitoba Public Insurance
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