Fake claim could land you in jail
EXPOSED: Compensation cowboys forcing up price of your holiday
HOLIDAYMAKERS travelling to Spain could face jail abroad if they are caught making a fraudulent sickness claim, the Government has warned.
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice after our investigation revealed some resorts have experienced a 400 per cent increase in the number of illness claims.
A statement on its website states: ‘There have been reports of a rise in claims companies targeting holidaymakers at resorts in Spain inviting them to make false insurance claims regarding holiday sickness.
‘Making a fraudulent insurance claim is illegal and a criminal offence in Spain and can incur penalties such as heavy fines and imprisonment.’
Conservative MP Craig Tracey, who chairs the AllParty Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services, said: ‘I’ve spoken with many organisations who are seeing this rising problem has become a real concern. Anyone who makes a fraudulent claim pushes the costs up for the operators and that will be passed on to the consumers.’
It comes as the Government this week announced a consultation on reforms over whiplash claims which it is hoped will also have the knock-on effect of reducing holiday sickness claims.
Under the proposals, if a claim is worth less than £5,000 solicitors will not be able to claim their costs from the losing side – acting as a disincentive for lawyers to take on claims, which are typically worth around £3,000.
A spokesman for tour operator trade association ABTA said: ‘Our members have reported a dramatic increase in the number of gastric illness claims…
‘This is a serious and growing problem that risks tarring all UK holidaymakers with an undeserved reputation.’