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Fraud

ICA members appoint new non-executive director at AGM

May 23, 2024 by Shannon White

Home Fraud Page 2

ICA members appoint new non-executive director at AGM

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News release

Thursday, 23 May 2024

The Board of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has welcomed Paul Fahey, Chief Executive Officer of Hollard Holdings Australia (Hollard) and its insurer subsidiaries, as a non-executive director of the ICA Board.

Paul joined Hollard in 2016 and was previously the CEO of Hollard’s Personal Lines business.

The appointment was made at the ICA’s Annual General Meeting earlier this week.
Paul will fill the vacancy that arose as a result of the resignation of Hollard’s founder and former CEO Richard Enthoven, who joined the ICA Board more than a decade ago and over that time served as both President and Deputy President.

IAG CEO Nick Hawkins’ term as President of the ICA Board will end on 31 December 2024.

The ICA Board will elect the new President at its June 2024 Board meeting.

Quote attributable to ICA President Nick Hawkins: 

I am pleased to welcome Paul to the ICA Board.

Paul brings with him a breadth of knowledge and experience of the insurance industry that will be invaluable to the Board.

I also recognise the long and committed service that Richard Enthoven has provided to the ICA as he steps down from the Board after 10 years.

As a former ICA President and Deputy President, Richard has played a key role in our industry for a long time.

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Insurance industry boosts fight against fraud and scams

May 21, 2024 by Pha Tran

Home Fraud Page 2

Insurance industry boosts fight against fraud and scams

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News release

Tuesday, 21 May 2024

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today announced the appointment of Andrew Gill as Chief Executive Officer of the ICA’s new counter fraud and scams function.

Andrew brings a wealth of experience in investigating insurance fraud, having served for 24 years as a detective in the fraud and cybercrime squad for the New South Wales Police and more recently as a Forensic Director at McGrathNicol.

In 2023, ICA members detected $560 million cases of opportunistic insurance fraud for motor and property alone, with undetected fraud estimated to cost the insurance industry around $400 million a year.

These undetected cases drive up insurance premiums and are resulting in significant harm to customers and the economy.

The counter fraud and scam function will provide an industry-wide capability focused on detecting organised fraud networks and identifying emerging fraud-related trends or criminal scams.

The function will collaborate with ICA members to collect intelligence on organised fraud to increase the capability of insurers in detecting and stopping insurance fraud, in addition to working with governments and their agencies in their renewed efforts to combat and fraud scams.

Quote attributable to counter fraud function CEO Andrew Gill:

Organised fraud is costing the insurance industry millions of dollars each year, and this cost is reflected in everybody’s insurance premiums.

By reducing fraud, we can have an impact on the cost of a premium and ensure that insurance customers are not paying for the unlawful and unfair acts of organised crime.

I look forward to starting in this new role and working alongside the Insurance Council and its members to reduce the impact of insurance fraud.

Quote attributable to Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall:

On behalf of the Insurance Council and its members, I welcome Andrew to the counter fraud and scam team, where I know his years of knowledge and expertise will be a great asset in guiding this important work.

Andrew will lead the new function as it becomes a standalone entity, external to the ICA, working with insurers to reduce the cost of fraud and scams to insurance customers and the community.

 

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Look out, disaster chasers about

May 14, 2021 by TheoTheoICA

Excess payments via SMS

We are not aware of any insurers who seek excess payment via SMS.

If you're ever in doubt about a payment request via text, email or phone, contact your insurer directly.

Home Fraud Page 2

Look out, disaster chasers about

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‘Disaster chasers’ typically present themselves in a disaster impacted area shortly after an event occurs but can also appear months later. They may door knock neighbourhoods, claiming to have identified damage at your property or premises, or in some very bold cases they may claim that they are here at the behest of your insurance company. 

Disaster chasers might do the following:

  • Claim to be able to identify damage to your property that you were unaware of, sometimes by way of a free inspection
  • Ask for money up front
  • Promise to get the repairs done in a short amount of time
  • Promise to get the repairs done for an amount that is far below legitimate competitors’ bids
  • Not have insurance or necessary licenses
  • Ask you to sign a contract, on the spot
  • Claim that they will be able to get your insurer to pay more for an insurance claim than you could manage yourself

Top tips for identifying or dealing with a disaster chaser

  • Insurers will not send a tradesperson or builder to your property or premises without notifying you and providing you with details. 
  • Speak to your insurer before agreeing to any repairs or rebuilding work to make sure your insurer will cover it.
  • If in doubt, ask for identification such as a builder’s licence or driver’s licence, and ring your insurer to check.
  • Don't sign contracts with a disaster chaser if they door knock.
  • If you have signed a contract, there is a cooling -off period, your insurer can help you end the relationship with the disaster chaser.

If in doubt, report any suspicious activity to government authorities or police.

Look out, disaster chasers about

Useful links

Help in a disaster
icon Fact Sheet: Disaster Chasers
icon www.moneysmart.gov.au
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