Allianz catches fraudster who used false documentation to claim for over £93,000 in loss of earnings

Allianz has revealed that it caught out a fraudster who tried to use false documentation to claim for thousands of pounds in loss of earnings following an accident at a petrol station.

Pritesh Ganatra, from Northampton, made a claim six months after the low speed collision occurred in 2017, which resulted in a court case in 2023. 

However, after Allianz got help from its solicitors Keoghs, the insurer was able to prove that the documents used for his loss of earnings claim were falsified, with the court ruling that the claim was fundamentally dishonest.

In a statement released today (8 January 2024), James Burge, head of counter fraud at Allianz Commercial, said: “We’ve seen an increase in fundamental dishonesty findings, with fraudsters exaggerating events for financial gain.

”This case demonstrates the continued work of the teams across Allianz and Keoghs and the zero tolerance approach that Allianz takes.”

The case

Back in 2017, an Allianz customer reversed from a closed pump at a petrol station and hit a third party vehicle, causing minor damage.

While Allianz accepted liability and repaired the vehicle, the insurer received a claim for personal injury from the third party – Ganatra – for neck, mid and lower back injuries along with loss of earnings, travel expenses, physiotherapy and legal costs.

After referral to Allianz’s claims validation team, it was declined as a dishonest claim.

However, court proceedings were then issued from Ganatra, where he claimed over £93,000 in loss of earnings.

Despite Allianz stating that the claim was fraudulent and at odds with the damage caused to the vehicle, Ganatra produced documents in support of his loss of earnings claim.

Allianz believed the documents to be fabricated and instructed Keoghs to investigate and defend the claim.

As part of the investigation, Keoghs obtained a court order for the extensive disclosure of documents relevant to the loss of earnings claim.

Allianz said the documents, in both its own and Keoghs’ view, supported the fact that the loss of earnings claim was false.

Ruling

Both the driver and Ganatra gave evidence at Northampton County Court in October 2023, where the court found Ganatra was not injured in the low speed collision and that the documents used for his loss of earnings claim were falsified.

Ruling that the claim was fundamentally dishonest, the claimant was ordered to pay an initial £20,000 towards Allianz legal costs, with the outstanding costs to be agreed in due course.

Nigel Parker, associate solicitor at Keoghs LLP, said: “All too often claims of this nature are successful. It is critically important that these type of claims are fully investigated and that claimants learn that they cannot lie and get paid out.

”This is a fantastic result for Allianz and Keoghs and shows the benefit of working together to get the right result”.