Analysis from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) from 2008 to 2010 notes a 34-percent increase in the number of questionable claims (QCs). A total of 8,724 QCs in the state were referred to the NICB in 2010, up from 7,447 in 2009 and 6,508 in 2008.

According to Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs for the NICB, Florida's no-fault system already in place adds to the insurance fraud problem, as in most states. "When the no-fault system was adopted, it was believed that it would more quickly and fairly address certain kinds of claims," Scafidi said. "While the intent was sincere, it did not take into consideration the human factor—that dark spot in, unfortunately, a sizeable number of people who see the no-fault environment as a playground where they have thrived in creative ways to scam the system."

According to the NICB, QCs are claims investigated based on one to seven indicators of possible fraud. Nearly 87 percent of these QCs in 2010 and 84 percent in the three-year span were cited as "personal automobile" under policy type. Most of the claims were referred to the organization because of "faked/exaggerated injury," "staged/caused accident," or "excessive treatment." The NICB's report cited Tampa, Miami, and Orlando as the top three cities producing these claims.