Vilkhov Law firm has been representing those facing insurance fraud accusations in Ontario for many years. It is always advisable to consult with our experienced insurance fraud lawyers before speaking with an insurance investigator.

Our legal team has also been rigorously defending the interests of individuals and businesses subjected to insurance fraud. At Vilkhov Law, we have deep knowledge of insurance fraud patterns, helping our clients to identify fraudulent behaviour and avoid losses.

What is Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud in Canada is broadly defined as any act committed with the intent to obtain payments from the insurer fraudulently. Insurance fraud has many forms and can be committed in relation to all types of insurances. These include:

  • home insurance fraud,
  • car insurance fraud
  • social insurance number (SIN) fraud,
  • life insurance fraud, etc.

Types of Insurance Fraud

The opportunistic insurance fraud presumes inflating the insurance claim using a legitimate loss. Examples include:

  1. claiming compensation for vehicle damage, which pre-existed before the collision,
  2. misrepresenting the condition of the vehicle or the value of installed components,
  3. exaggerating injuries after the collision,
  4. exaggerating the severity of a patient’s medical condition by a medical professional,
  5. extending patient’s recuperation time,
  6. offering or accepting medical services which are unrelated to the insured injury.

Pre-mediated insurance fraud occurs when someone stages an accident or otherwise creates conditions to claim insurance compensation. Examples of such insurance fraud include intentionally causing a vehicle collision, intentionally burning property or vehicle, or making claims for an event that didn’t happen. Such schemes also include cases when someone tries to avoid paying insurance premiums, for example, by not reporting all licensed drivers, failing to report pre-existing medical conditions, reporting false address, etc.

Although most insurance fraud is committed against the insurers, insurance seller scams targeting consumers are just as serious. In this scenario, scammers may fish for personal information or misrepresent themselves as insurance brokers selling either forged or real insurance policies and cancelling them without customers’ knowledge. In addition to their lost cash funds paid to fraudsters, the victims of this type of insurance fraud remain with no insurance coverage when they actually need it.

Signs of Insurance Fraud

Like other types of fraud, cases of insurance fraud are not always easy to detect. You might be witnessing an insurance fraud when you are:

  • offered to sign a blank accident benefit or other documents,
  • advertised with staged collision facilitation,
  • offered insurance policies at a much lower rate than the average one on the market,
  • subjected to aggressive sales tactics,
  • presented with unreliable or suspicious contact information.

Meanwhile, the insurers have their own system of red flags to identify potential insurance fraud by the customers. The following might be the signs of possible insurance fraud by customers:

      excessive pressure on immediate settlement,
      questions to agents before the loss,
      sharp increase of policy limits before the loss,
      reluctance to meet for an interview, rehearsed story, excessive documentation.

How to Prevent Insurance Fraud

The best way to avoid unintentionally committing insurance fraud is to understand the signs and elements of crime described above. It is also important to watch out for signs of insurance seller scam, keep personal information safe from scammers and avoid signing blank insurance forms.

Those who witness the above-mentioned signs of potential insurance fraud or suspect being victims of identity theft should immediately consult an insurance fraud lawyer and report their suspicions to the authorities.

Insurance Fraud Cases in Canada

According to the information published on the Insurance Bureau of Canada website, insurance fraud costs Canadians more than $1 billion a year due to increased insurance premiums caused by false or exaggerated claims.

In Canada, the insurance fraud cases have become so numerous that the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has outlined the five most common types of insurance fraud to watch out for:

  • staged collision when a driver stages an accident with an unsuspecting driver making the latter at fault,
  • inflated tow, store, and dent when unscrupulous auto repair shops and towing companies artificially increase the bills to the insurers,
  • insurance fraud cases including blank form when medical clinics ask patients to sign blank accident benefit forms or bill the insurers for not rendered services,
  • fake news involving individuals who reduce their risk profile by providing false information about their address, or their vehicle,
  • hot cars insurance fraud when stolen or technically dangerous vehicles are sold under a false vehicle identification number.

Meanwhile, the global COVID-19 pandemic situation has led fraudsters into devising new types of insurance fraud. These include insurance fraud associated with telemedicine, involving health care provided remotely, cyber fraud and data breaches.

Penalty for Insurance Fraud

Those accused of insurance fraud in Canada face a number of consequences, including criminal penalties and civil suits. Criminal liability may include various penalties and incarceration depending on previous criminal records and other circumstances. The civil liability may include compensation for any costs or damages claimed by the insurer.

In addition, insurance companies may refuse to sell insurance to individuals and businesses involved in insurance fraud. Such consequences may be particularly devastating for entrepreneurs as they would no longer be covered by professional liability insurance.

How to Report Insurance Fraud in Ontario

Those who suspect or witness potential insurance fraud can report it through a number of channels, including contacting the local police department or reporting the crime to the Insurance Bureau of Canada either by phone or online.

When to Call an Insurance Fraud Lawyer

Allegations of insurance fraud can have severe repercussions on career and general well-being. They can result in criminal charges, criminal records, employment termination, and civil action by the insurance company.

Those who were approached by an insurance investigator or facing insurance fraud charges or a suspecting or witnessing an insurance fraud are advised to contact Vilkhov Law legal team without delay.

By |2023-08-11T10:34:10+00:00May 15th, 2021|Fraud|

5/5 - (1 vote)

Criminal Lawyers Association
Toronnto Lawyers Association
Law Society of Ontario
Criminal Lawyers Association
Toronnto Lawyers Association
Law Society of Ontario
Excellent5.0 Based on 110 reviews fromNorbert WysockiNorbert Wysocki ★★★★★ Igor and his team provided excellent service in very delicate and emotional case. They were extremely supporting and knowledgeable. Thank you for everything you have done!Jason WorthJason Worth ★★★★★ Words cannot describe what Igor has done for me. Igor is the most skilled and amazing attorney I have ever met in my entire life. I had a long list of charges (some that carried some serious penitentiary time) and worked some serious magic with countless hours behind the scenes for me to make just 1 appearance and have ALL THE CHARGES WITHDRAWN and a peace bond put in place. The timeframe for it was amazing as well he took care of me and this situation in only 15 months! (we all know the justice system does not work that fast normally!) If you want a very highly skilled, passionate, available(Igor would take calls and messages even after normal hours to fill me in!), experienced and dedicated attorney that will work tirelssly with you and for you to get you the absolute best results then Igor is your man! 5 stars does not do this man justice he deserves 100 stars!N AlyN Aly ★★★★★ Great lawyer. Knowledgeable and helpful. 10/10 would recommend :)GLORIS SPENCEGLORIS SPENCE ★★★★★ Working with Igor and his team during a very unpleasant situation has been a blessing. Even though the legal process was a lengthy one, they were there to answer the questions and concerns we had.Thankfully, it's all over and settled and hopefully we'll not need his services again, but it is reassuring to know that if the situation should every arise where legal counsel is needed, Vilkhov Law Professional will be there in my corner.Thank you.Scott K.Scott K. ★★★★★ I would like to give Igor 5 stars for handling my serious case for the last 11 months of my life. In December 2022, I was wrongfully accused of 2 serious charges under my name however, Igor took care of it from the beginning and finally all of those wrongful charges are withdrawn and now I feel much better and at ease. I am very glad that Igor could help me throughout the hard process and bring out the best result possible! Also, what I want to pinpoint out for the most is that he picks up the call by himself and you get to contact directly with him whenever you have questions or want updates throughout the process. I know that it could be tiring for lawyers who have other clients at the moment but Igor always keep a close contact with his client and I was always able to talk to him directly when I needed for the last 11 months. At last, I wish all the best for Igor and hope that god blesses throughout his career and may he be able to offer his professionalism to help other people in need. Thank you Igor :)SAID ALISAID ALI ★★★★★ Igor is an exceptional lawyer! I am very thankful for his excellent professional legal advice and assistance, he was able to drop my S.A charges. Thank you Igor for everything you've done, I really appreciate your services.M AlyM Aly ★★★★★ I was charged with SA, which rarely ever get dropped and generally always go to trial. Igor Vilkhov was able to get my charges fully withdrawn with no consequences or harm to me.Every lawyer I spoke with quoted me astronomical fees and explained how they would have to jump through hoops and perform ‘legal gymnastics’ to help me. Igor was the only lawyer who gave me a fair and realistic fee structure. He walked me through what the process would look like and gave realistic expectations. It was clear from the start he knew what he was doing and that his experience was significant. Throughout the process he provided regular updates and was always reachable. If you’re charged, I highly recommend at least speaking with Igor before making a decision on an attorney.Melissa HinrichsenMelissa Hinrichsen ★★★★★ Igor was amazing to deal with. His response time was amazing compared to others. He knew what I needed and got the job done. I highly recommend to everyone.NicoleNicole ★★★★★ Very kind and helpfulDevere SDevere S ★★★★★ Mr.Vilkhov is a professional and very good lawyer, goes through everyrhing to make sure it gets dealt with properly, He replies fast if you have questions or anything as well, along with his staff Jessica she was a big help as well.Jessica Gavrikov-ZinchenkoJessica Gavrikov-Zinchenko ★★★★★ Igor Vilkhov is a one-of-a-kind lawyer, his skills truly exceed expectations. He is incredibly diligent and has a passion for ensuring that his clients receive the best possible representation. Additionally, he has a wonderful team behind him, ensuring that his business operations and client relations are running smoothly.Saira JawaidSaira Jawaid ★★★★★ Igor is a good friend and colleague of mine that has helped me tremendously in my legal profession. I can always rely on him for any legal related questions. I’ve personally worked with him and I can say with confidence he is a hard working, dedicated, result focused lawyer. Keep up the hard work!Daniel SlobodkinDaniel Slobodkin ★★★★★ I have known Mr. Vilkhov in a professional and personal capacity for several years. Mr. Vilkhov is a well-respected and devoted criminal lawyer who prioritizes the success and livelihood of his clients. Mr. Vilkhov goes out of his way and makes time, at all times of day, to tend to the needs of his clients. Mr. Vilkhov is a diligent lawyer I would recommend to anyone dealing with a criminal matter. Well-spoken, confident, methodical and professional are qualities that only begin to scratch the surface of Mr. Vilkhov's criminal law practice and his character at whole.mike cookmike cook ★★★★★ I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Mr. vilkhov he truly takes pride in his work and did his absolute best to work on my case and get me the best deal I would recommend him to everyone. Hiring Mr .vilkhow will be the best decision for anyone to make he’s truly amazing at what he does .Amina HuseynovaAmina Huseynova ★★★★★ I've known Igor professionally for a long time, one of the most dedicated criminal lawyers I have met. He gets amazing results for his clients and I would recommend anyone who is looking to hire him.maddy mmaddy m ★★★★★ I am international student in Canada, six months ago I was falsely accused of SA and I was charged. I had never dealt with all this in my life and I started looking for a lawyer. I spoke too more than 50 lawyers all over ontario and every lawyer I spoke to tried to scare me and told me that I am a dead meat here and this thing is definitely going to trial and were only interested in talking about their fees. Mr Vilkhov patiently heard my case and told me that there is a high possibility of getting the case withdrawn . He was straightforward and honest. He convinced me after one call that he is the right lawyer for me to retain. He charged a very reasonable fee which he let me pay in installments. He kept me well informed about my case in every stage. Mr. Vilkhov and Daniel from his team were my constant support. Every message and every phone call was answered.Mr Vilkhov got the charges withdrawn!!! My case was in a jurisdictions were cases like these never get withdrawn. But Mr. Vilkhov gave his best and got the charges withdrawn without any conditions. I cannot thank Vilkhov law professional for giving my life back! Mr. Vilkhov is very knowledgeable and he is the lawyer you need by your side when you need it the most! He wins when you need it the most! Thank you Vilkhov law corporation!Jay ModiJay Modi ★★★★★ Igor and his team exceeded my expectations, efficiently getting all charges dropped in my case. His timely responses, coupled with Daniel's eloquence, made for an exceptional first-time experience with a lawyer. They provided a unique blend of empathy and straightforwardness that instilled confidence throughout the legal process. Highly recommendable for anyone in need of a criminal justice lawyer.Naqib PopalNaqib Popal ★★★★★ I just left Brampton courthouse. I was acquitted of 11 charges after a long trial. Igor Vilkhov absolutely killed it during the entire trial. If it wasn’t for him, I would be going to jail. Thank you so much for your work, you ensured the truth came out. Thank you, you got me my life back.Chad AllanChad Allan ★★★★★ Igor got me an amazing deal, he was always communicating with me and updating me about my case, he got me the deal of a lifetime and I can’t him enough. If you are reading this and you are thinking about who to hire, just call him, he is the right lawyer for you.Jamie LewisJamie Lewis ★★★★★ If you need a lawyer who is actually going to work for you, and get results go with Igor at Vilkhov Law. He was very patient and understanding and knows his stuff. I was facing a huge fine which would have devastated me financially for years to come, but with his passionate submission to crown on my behalf he was able to get the fine reduced by 90%. His colleagues he works with are amazing too. Thank you so much for all of your help through this matter Igor! You truely have saved my future. I appreciate it beyond measure! All the best in the future!Akash TyagiAkash Tyagi ★★★★★ Hi all, When i just came to Canada, i got charged with SA, which was a nightmare for me where my so called friends left my side. Then by luck i got to know Mr. Igor and that day changed everything.Being new in a country could cost me a lot but with Igor’s genuine efforts to help me, saved my life.A big thanks to him and god bless him.Must recommended lawyer.Thanks a ton Igor.❤️ted ferreirated ferreira ★★★★★ I met Igor approximately two years ago when we met with him regarding SA charges against our son. Over that time Igor was always there to answer questions that we had, he was reassuring explaining that we had a strong case.From the beginning we were impressed with Igor's demeanor, he was always calm and to the point, he did his best to keep us on track with the facts.Thanks to Igor's thorough preparation he was able to get the SA charges stayed. I cannot tell you how incredible that feeling was.We owe so much to him.We highly recommend Igor to anyone needing Legal help, he will work tirelessly on your behalf.OKOLI MARKOKOLI MARK ★★★★★ Thank you Igor Vilkhov for helping me go through my legal case from the very beginning to the end. Igor's professional advice and approach to difficult legal matter is excellent and recommended, Case has been withdrawn from court!! 1 million thanks for the support throughout this process 🙏.Laura BeniaLaura Benia ★★★★★ Professional, honest and caring.js_loader