THE Irish Insurance Federation anti fraud scheme, a claims matching computer database, has been extended to include household, personal accident and travel insurance claims. The scheme, which has been in place for six years has concentrated on personal injury motor claims, the writing off of vehicles and employer's and public liability insurance and has so far saved Federation members over £1 million bin false claims.

The data base is accumulated by the steady input of information by member companies and at a keystroke can identify anybody with a pattern of insurance claims. A number of companies have now established on line transfer links with the database which will allow them quicker access to the system.

One insurance company Family Money spoke to said they were particularly happy that household insurance claims had been added. The payouts for such claims may be much smaller in comparison to motor or injury claims, but they add up. Some people have no scruples about claiming year after year for lost bikes they never had, or damage to their property which they did, themselves or allowed happen through neglect. Hopefully the wider database will flush out some of the worst offenders."