Finnish insurers investigate wildfires closely due to suspected fraud attempts

Finnish insurance companies are conducting thorough investigations into the causes of wildfires amid rising concerns over fraudulent claims, reports Yle. Authorities say nearly all wildfires in the country are human-caused, with some cases involving deliberate attempts to conceal negligence for insurance payouts.

This spring, Finland has seen an unusually high number of wildfires due to prolonged dry conditions. In Central Finland alone, nearly 70 fires have been recorded, while over 20 have occurred in South Savo and around 50 in North Savo. Risto Taskinen, fire chief of North Savo’s rescue services, states that human activity is behind virtually all wildfire ignitions.

However, some cases remain unexplained. In one incident in Kuopio’s Nilsiä, coastal vegetation burned near a summer cottage with no signs of human presence or recent campfires. Taskinen notes that while most fires are accidental, investigators occasionally encounter suspicious circumstances.

Insurance companies report that fraud attempts often involve misrepresenting the cause of a fire—particularly when property damage is involved. Ilkka Hervanta, managing director of Lähi-Tapiola’s eastern regional office, says fraudulent claims typically concern personal or other assets destroyed in fires.

Mika Laiso, claims director at Fennia, explains that discrepancies between reported causes and actual fire damage can trigger deeper investigations. If suspicions arise, insurers deploy their own fire investigators or independent experts to examine the scene, cross-referencing official warnings and local data.

Satu Annala, communications director at Keskinäinen Vakuutusyhtiö Turva, adds that claimants sometimes downplay their own negligence or alter their accounts, fearing denied compensation. However, on-site inspections often reveal the true sequence of events.

Markus Uimonen, head of property and operations claims at Pohjola Vakuutus, confirms that at least two recent cases involved confirmed insurance fraud during burn-off periods under wildfire warnings. In both instances, fires escaped control, and attempts were made to conceal the actual cause.