As many as 750,000 Brits are committing fraud by making false travel insurance claims, according to research from Direct Line Travel Insurance.

The survey reveals that many travellers exaggerate or falsify their claims, with over one in ten confessing to increasing the value of their claim and five per cent admitting they added extra items.

Many people do not realise the severity of their actions, with 18 per cent justifying their fraudulent behaviour by saying they are owed the money because they have not claimed before.

Some16 per cent were found to be enhancing their claims by £200 and six per cent by over £500, with jewellery and cameras as the most claimed items.

Chris Price, business manager at Direct Line Travel Insurance, said this was a “worrying” trend.

“The telling of a ‘little white lie’ is fraud, however they chose to justify it,” he said.

“Contemplating committing fraud is a serious matter and we would urge anyone about to claim on their travel insurance not to take this lightly.”

The Direct Line Travel Insurance business manager said there are systems in place to detect fraud.

Direct Line offers a number of insurance services, including car insurance and home insurance.

Find out more about Direct Line Travel Insurance

© Adfero Ltd