A BRADFORD MP who has campaigned against high car insurance costs has welcomed a Government decision to create a new taskforce to tackle fraud.

Fraudulent claims can add up to £90 on to the cost of car insurance premiums in Bradford and the Ministry of Justice has launched an Insurance Fraud Taskforce to tackle the abuse of claims over motor insurance and other areas, including policies for homes or holidays.

Bradford East MP David Ward has welcomed the change and said: “Insurance fraud, especially car insurance, is a massive issue in Bradford as it drives up the cost of premiums for everyone.

“The Government have already taken concerted action in introducing independent medical examinations in order to tackle whiplash fraud and I welcome the moves to try and address other forms of fraud like in home and holiday insurance.

“People often believe that exaggerating insurance claims is a victimless crime but this is simply wrong.

"High fraudulent claims increases the costs of insurance for everyone so it’s about time that we got a handle on this to ensure that everyone can get access to affordable insurance.”

The Association of British Insurers say whiplash accounts for 20 per cent of all car insurance premiums.

Problems with household insurance include customers inflating the value of items stolen in burglaries or even adding fictional items to the list of possessions stolen.