Research conducted by the website insurance.co.uk has found that one in four motorists lie when applying for car insurance. While it may be tempting to omit or distort certain details to help them save on their insurance premiums, if insurers discover that applicants weren’t truthful in their application form, their policy could immediately be invalidated, leaving policyholders at risk. Even worse, depending on the nature of the falsehood, lying on application forms can result in individuals being blacklisted by insurance companies.

Many who responded to the study felt that ‘little’ lies on insurance application forms were not dangerous. Altering the value of their car or stating that it is parked in a safer area that it actually is are considered minor lies that will not affect the applicant.

While many admitted to stretching the truth in order to lower their insurance premiums, a few even admitted to lying about important facts like their address and past criminal convictions.

To many, car insurance fraud was similar to “travelling on public transport without a valid ticket”. It was not viewed as a serious crime.