Sponsored by Robert William Lawyers

The next cab off the rank for the awards announcement was the Insurance Industry Investigation of the Year, sponsored for the first time by William Roberts Lawyers. The Insurance Industry Investigation of the Year award is always one of the most hotly contested categories, with only 3 points out of a possible 75 dividing the top 3 nominees.

Mr Robert Ishak, partner at William Roberts Lawyers, announced the winner who had received the highest score from the judging panel, made up of Mr Ishak, Mr Laurie Ratz of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Australia, and Mr Tony Phillips of RAA Insurance. This years award winner was named as Ms Jennie Hayes of Suncorp Insurance, for her co-ordination of a multi-claim investigation into an organised network of fraudulent claims.

Based on a tip-off, Ms Hayes oversaw a comprehensive investigation in which it was discovered that hired trucks were being used to cause total loss claims to vehicles that had been purchased in a damaged condition in one state and transferred to another state, before being placed in a claim to obtain a sum insured payout. Ms Hayes demonstrated tenacity in her pursuit of information, systematically contacting every truck hire company in the region to find the evidence she needed to find out the true facts of a current claim, but she also demonstrated an ability to strategically manage a large quantity of intelligence and to liaise with other stakeholders in order to submit a solid referral to the Fraud Squad in the state where the crime had been committed.
Despite being surprised on the night at being named the winner, Ms Hayes made a gracious speech in accepting her award and was a credit to her company.

Insurance Industry Award Winner Jennie Hayes Suncorp Insurance with award sponsor Mr Robert Ishak, partner at William Roberts Lawyers.