The UK has launched an insurance fraud register featuring details of all known offenders.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) will make the information available to insurers and other industries.

ABI Director-General Otto Thoresen says it means insurance cheats “can expect difficulties obtaining future insurance, credit and other financial products”.

UK insurers detected 139,000 bogus or exaggerated claims last year, up 5% on 2010. In a new report the ABI estimates fraud adds £50 ($77) a year to premiums on average.

One “crash for cash” fraud saw 37 people convicted for 180 staged and induced road accidents linked to 230 claims worth £3.2 million ($4.9 million).

The insurance investigation found a 39-strong criminal gang whose frauds involved legal, medical and motor trade professionals, and a claims management firm that was a seemingly legitimate front for the claims.

ABI says the greatest numbers of frauds involve home insurance, but the most costly are in motor insurance.