Dutch insurers detect record 9,000 fraud cases, prevent €96 million in losses

Dutch insurers reported a sharp increase in insurance fraud in 2024, detecting more than 9,000 cases, over a thousand more than in 2023, according to the Centrum Bestrijding Verzekeringscriminaliteit (Center for the Suppression of Insurance Crime) of the Verbond van Verzekeraars (Dutch Association of Insurers). The insurance sector has also noted a growing role for artificial intelligence (AI) in both committing and detecting fraud.

The fraud involved false claims and fraudulent insurance applications. By uncovering these cases, insurers prevented 95.6 million euros in potential losses, nearly 10 million euros more than the previous year and the highest savings in five years.

On average, insurers detected fraud 25 times a day, preventing around 260,000 euros in losses. When fraud is confirmed, insurers may take measures such as denying the application or claim, terminating the policy, recovering investigation costs, or filing a police report. Fraudsters may also be added to the shared warning system, the Extern Verwijzingsregister (External Referral Register).

The insurance sector has noted a growing role for artificial intelligence (AI) in both committing and detecting fraud. Insurers increasingly use AI to identify complex and cyber-related schemes and share knowledge and data.

“We see in increasing measure the relevance of AI, because many threats are cyber-related. Exchanging knowledge and expertise remains enormously important to prevent criminals from trying the same ‘tricks’ with different insurers,” said Richard Weurding, general director of the Verbond van Verzekeraars (Dutch Association of Insurers). He added that these measures help ensure legitimate customers do not overpay on premiums.