Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has proclaimed May 10-16 as “Insurance Fraud Awareness Week” in the state, to recognize the impact the crime has on residents and the work of the Virginia State Police Insurance Fraud Program.

Tim Kaine

Since being established 10 years ago, more than 13,000 suspected cases of insurance fraud were reported to the IFP, resulting in more than 1,500 arrests and $13 million in court-ordered restitution, state police said. The dollar amount of reported, suspected false insurance claims surpassed $86 million.

As a result of the negative economic impact of fraudulent insurance claims, Virginia citizens may pay between $200 and $1,000 per year in additional premiums and as much as $1,000 more each year for the costs of goods and services, according to the IFP.

Insurance Fraud Awareness Week is proclaimed each year to raise community awareness of insurance fraud, create more widespread public knowledge of the IFP and educate Virginia residents in the prevention and reporting of insurance fraud.

“Virginia has made great strides in the statewide fight against insurance fraud,” said Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty in a statement. “This has been possible due to the outstanding support of the insurance industry, the cooperation of other law enforcement agencies, and the general public’s willingness to become involved.”

Kaine is scheduled to make a formal proclamation on May 13 at a ceremony in Richmond at the annual seminar of the Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units.