Exposing the "Slip and Trip" Surge: Why Professional Surveillance is the Best Defence Against Insurance Fraud

A recent report by Insurance Times reveals a significant spike in insurance fraud across the UK, with specialist insurer Ecclesiastical reporting a 20% increase in investigations last year. This surge led to the rejection of £3 million in fraudulent claims, highlighting a growing trend of "slips and trips," exaggerated injuries, and fabricated narratives.

As fraudsters become more sophisticated—using everything from fake concussions to inflated repair invoices—insurers and corporate entities are increasingly turning to elite investigative tactics to protect their assets. At Conflict International, our specialised Surveillance Services are the definitive solution to uncovering the truth behind suspicious claims.

1. The Rising Cost of Fabricated Narratives

The Ecclesiastical report highlights that casualty claims accounted for over £2 million of their fraud savings, with half of those cases involving fraudulent "slips and trips." One notable case involved a claimant alleging a concussion after walking into a stalactite; the claim was withdrawn only after the insurer's investigation proved the claimant’s physical mobility was entirely inconsistent with their reported injuries.

Common fraud tactics currently on the rise include:

• The "Invisible" Injury: Claimants alleging soft tissue damage or concussions that are difficult to prove clinically but can be easily disproved through behavioural observation.
• Inventory Fabrication: High-value burglary claims involving designer clothing that was actually returned or refunded long before the alleged break-in.
• Contractor Collusion: Manipulated estimates and inflated invoices created through undisclosed relationships between claimants and contractors.

2. Why Professional Surveillance is Essential

In a landscape where paper trails can be forged and digital evidence can be manipulated, physical surveillance remains the gold standard for exposing fraud. At Conflict International, we bridge the gap between suspicion and certainty.

Our Surveillance Services provide the objective, high-definition evidence needed to challenge fraudulent claims in court:

• Behavioural Consistency Checks: We monitor claimants in their day-to-day environments to see if their physical capabilities match their alleged injuries. A "bedbound" claimant seen gardening or carrying heavy groceries is often all the evidence needed to collapse a fraudulent case.
• Unmasking Collusion: Our operatives excel at identifying undisclosed relationships and "off-the-book" meetings between claimants and contractors, proving the collusion that leads to invoice fraud.
• Pre-Litigation Evidence Gathering: We provide insurers and legal teams with admissible video evidence and detailed logs that serve as a powerful deterrent to fraudsters during the claims process.

3. Protecting Your Bottom Line with Conflict International

With the UK experiencing continued economic volatility, the pressure on businesses and insurers to mitigate loss has never been higher. Ecclesiastical’s claims director, Jeremy Trott, noted that the insurer is committed to "tackling fraud in the strongest means possible"—and that requires the best intelligence.

Conflict International helps you stay ahead of the curve:

1. Global Reach, Local Expertise: Our surveillance teams operate across the UK and internationally, ensuring that no matter where the claim originates, we can provide boots-on-the-ground intelligence.
2. Discretion and Legality: All our surveillance operations are conducted with total discretion and in full compliance with GDPR and relevant privacy laws, ensuring that all evidence gathered is legally sound and court-ready.
3. Comprehensive Fraud Mitigation: Beyond surveillance, we offer Fraud Investigation and Asset Tracing to recover funds lost to sophisticated syndicates.

Conclusion: Deterrence Through Truth

As the industry sees a 20% rise in investigations, the message is clear: the most effective way to deter fraud is to prove that it won't go unnoticed. By investing in professional surveillance, insurers and organisations don't just save on a single claim—they strengthen their overall defences against the culture of fraud.

Is a suspicious claim impacting your organisation? Explore our Surveillance Services or contact Conflict International today for a confidential consultation on how we can protect your interests.