INSURANCE CLAIMS FRAUD IN HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE NIGERIAN INSURANCE INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study examines insurance claims fraud in homeowner’s insurance with its empirical findings from the Nigerian insurance industry. In this study, a descriptive research design was employed while purposive sampling method was adopted for information selection. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. 221 participants were drawn from 31 insurance companies, which were basically general insurance companies that represent 61% capacity of the industry in terms of market structure. Major statistical techniques employed in the study were simple frequency percentage and T-test statistics. While five relevant research questions were stated and to which verbal interpretation were provided, added with supporting evidence, two hypothetical statements were made. The study recommends that effective fraud deterrent should be in place so as to promote stable, confidence-based, result-oriented and trustworthy market environment, and government on its own part must not fail to exhibit the will-power to drive the anti-fraud strategy designed, built and modeled for the operational efficiency of insurance companies and effective service delivery in the heart of the insuring public. This research work contributes to existing knowledge in that it helps broaden the scope of the regulatory bodies on the need to continually engage academia, insurance practitioners, IT experts and other stakeholders in designing and building a more sustainable anti-fraud strategy in improving insurance market penetration and density.