Archive for Aviva

New data shows staggering rise in fraud across the country as Fraud Prevention Month kicks off

Posted in Commentary with tags on March 4, 2025 by itnerd

 From auto theft to AI-generated documents and beyond, fraud continues to be one of the more pressing issues facing Canadian consumers and businesses in 2025.

As Fraud Prevention Month kicks off, new data from Aviva Canada has revealed a 46% increase in claim fraud detection – and a staggering 76% rise in fraud investigations – in 2024. Auto-related incidents alone accounted for two-thirds (67%) of all claim fraud investigations during the past year. Advancements in AI and its use by individuals to falsify information are expected to be on the rise in 2025.

Five Emerging Fraud Trends to Watch in 2025
The methods used by bad actors are constantly evolving, so it’s important for Canadians to stay current on emerging trends. Aviva Canada’s data shows five types of fraud that are growing in the Canadian market:

  • Vehicle Theft and ReVINing – Vehicle thefts remain above pre-pandemic levels, with a 58% increase in investigations in the latter half of 2024. Stolen vehicles are often shipped overseas, or their VIN numbers altered and resold to unsuspecting Canadian buyers with false documentation. With the tightening of Canada-US borders, more stolen vehicles could remain in Canada, increasing the likelihood of Canadians buying a stolen vehicle from online public marketplaces.
  • Staged Auto Accidents – Increasing in numbers and complexity, staging false auto accidents is a trend on the rise across Canada. Aviva Canada saw a 47% increase in the number of staged accidents caught in Q4 2024. This type of scam could be linked to organized crime groups operating in Canada.
  • AI-Enabled Falsified or Forged Documents – The use of technology AI to edit or falsify documents is increasingly evident in investigations. This technology is frequently seen in both staged claims and opportunistic fraud, where it is used to create false claims or inflate legitimate claims, such as personal and commercial property contents claims, by supporting them with false invoices.
  • Ghost Brokers – People posing as licensed insurance brokers to sell fake policies or manipulate information to secure lower premiums is a growing concern in Canada, often leaving unsuspecting consumers without valid coverage. Consumers should be extra vigilant when purchasing insurance. They are encouraged to check their provincial registries to ensure the person they’re dealing with is properly licensed and confirm proof of insurance directly with the insurer.
  • Policy Misrepresentation – Individuals may misrepresent or omit key information from their insurance policies such as their true address, the intended use of a vehicle or property, or not disclosing major construction or renovations being done. These incidents can unfortunately lead to honest customers paying disproportionately higher premiums.

For tips and more information on how to protect yourself or to report fraud, you can visit Aviva Canada’s Fraud Hub.

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Aviva Canada hosts first-ever 24-hour Broker Hackathon

Posted in Commentary with tags on November 17, 2016 by itnerd

Aviva Canada held their first-ever Broker Hackathon last week with their President’s Club and Digital Brokers. The Hackathon garnered over 60 innovative ideas on ways to improve interactions between customers, brokers, and Aviva with an emphasis on delivering a great user experience for all.

Of the more than 60 ideas submitted, four ideas were chosen to move forward to the Hackathon where each team of hackers had only 24 hours to turn their ideas into a working prototype.

The four amazing ideas presented at the Broker Hackathon included:

  • People’s Choice and Winner: Commercial Catalyst (Excalibur Insurance) Simple, quick and easy way for brokers and customers to quote and bind small commercia business; a responsive web-based platform that allows brokers integration with Aviva’s rates.

Digital/Mobile Pink Slips (RDA Insurance)

  • Provide flexibility to allow customers to download pink slips to their smartphone’s passbook/wallet as proof of insurance coverage.

Aviva Intelligence (Excalibur Insurance)

  • Aviva artificial intelligence chat bot to improve broker and client experience using guided statements and machine learning.

Pop-up Note Templates (Aviva Canada)

  • Create a common space in the broker portal to capture information that can be shared across the business and assist brokers, underwriters and claims adjusters alike.

“Congratulations to our People’s Choice and Winner, Commercial Catalyst by Excalibur Insurance for their winning idea,” says Jason Storah, Executive Vice President, Broker Distribution. “We’re awestruck and inspired to see all four amazing ideas come to life in just 24 hours. Aviva Canada is committed to backing these prototypes so we can innovate the way we deliver our services to brokers and customers digitally.”

“The Broker Hackathon idea for Digital/Mobile Pink Slips comes at the most opportune time in light of the recent announcement from Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) approving a plan to introduce an electronic option for proof of auto insurance,” said Karin Ots, Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Government Relations. “This is a good example of how consumers and technology are driving our business forward and the need for agile, nimble regulatory response. We look forward to offering Digital/Mobile Pink Slips to our customers and brokers in the very near future.”

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