Intrusive and disproportionate insurance company request. ?

XRS200

Voyager2002 said:

elsien said:

I can see why they are asking for details of the car and where she lives. The bank statements seem ridiculous.

If someone is under financial strain, they are more likely to be tempted to make a fraudulent claim. Therefore, if the bank statements indicate difficulties she is likely to be given extra scrutiny.

Unlikely to be the case here, as likely outcome is a repair, with an excess to pay.

Bonniepurple

I agree with others- they want to check that the address details and declared details match up.  Bank statements are used as proof of address. To me it sounds like she has either not added commuting to the policy and so they want to check how she gets to the office (could be as simple as uses a different car-I’m insured on my husband’s car but not for commuting because I only drive it for very short distance emergencies) OR they suspect that she (or you) live in a less desirable neighbourhood and have forgotten to mention this to the insurance company.

Veteransaver

Bonniepurple said:

I agree with others- they want to check that the address details and declared details match up.  Bank statements are used as proof of address. To me it sounds like she has either not added commuting to the policy and so they want to check how she gets to the office (could be as simple as uses a different car-I’m insured on my husband’s car but not for commuting because I only drive it for very short distance emergencies) OR they suspect that she (or you) live in a less desirable neighbourhood and have forgotten to mention this to the insurance company.

Utility bills provide that proof though. Bank statements is ridiculous. It's not like it's a made up claim for financial reward, the evidence is sitting in a repair shop and the repair shop will be getting the money.

Veteransaver

user1977 said:

If she can provide all the items requested, why the great distress?

I wouldn't be happy providing bank statements quite apart from the sheer hassle of it let alone the privacy aspect.. Not sure what it would prove anyway, many people have multiple accounts, are they going to check you've given them all the accounts you hold? Under what authority can they ask that? They are an insurance company, not HMRC or the Serious Fraud office!

Herzlos

It sounds like they suspect the home address is fraudulent, because she works and wants the car repaired some distance away (presumably, or you wouldn't have mentioned Wales/England). It's a pretty common form of insurance fraud. 

So they want proof that she does live and spend a majority of time in Wales. The bank statement request is a bit weird, but I think they're looking to see if they can establish time spent where. Say she lives in Cardiff and works in Manchester, but only seems to do any shopping in Manchester, it'll reinforce the idea that she actually lives in Manchester but is insured in Cardiff for lower premiums. 

How far apart are home and work?

DullGreyGuy

HillStreetBlues said:

Voyager2002 said:

elsien said:

I can see why they are asking for details of the car and where she lives. The bank statements seem ridiculous.

If someone is under financial strain, they are more likely to be tempted to make a fraudulent claim. Therefore, if the bank statements indicate difficulties she is likely to be given extra scrutiny.

I think that's called a fishing expedition.

Not really, it's why some insurers do a CRA check as part of their quoting process and will use it as a rating factor. There is a correlation between financial distress and adverse claims experience

jimjames

XRS200 said:

I would give them everything but the bank statements.  Ask them why they need bank statements and if redacted copies would suffice for their needs.

Maybe to check the address on them matches the other addresses

user1977

Veteransaver said:

user1977 said:

If she can provide all the items requested, why the great distress?

I wouldn't be happy providing bank statements quite apart from the sheer hassle of it let alone the privacy aspect.. Not sure what it would prove anyway, many people have multiple accounts, are they going to check you've given them all the accounts you hold? Under what authority can they ask that? They are an insurance company, not HMRC or the Serious Fraud office!

It might be intrusive/disproportionate, it was the "distress" I was querying.

At most it warrants some eye-rolling and tutting.

XRS200

jimjames said:

XRS200 said:

I would give them everything but the bank statements.  Ask them why they need bank statements and if redacted copies would suffice for their needs.

Maybe to check the address on them matches the other addresses

One bank statement would suffice for that.  They don't need 3.

EnPointe

HillStreetBlues said:

Voyager2002 said:

elsien said:

I can see why they are asking for details of the car and where she lives. The bank statements seem ridiculous.

If someone is under financial strain, they are more likely to be tempted to make a fraudulent claim. Therefore, if the bank statements indicate difficulties she is likely to be given extra scrutiny.

I think that's called a fishing expedition.

i think it;s called 'knowing your customer'