Home insurance fraud is insurance fraud which involves activity performed with an intent to defraud or deceive a homeowners insurance company in order to receive payment from the insurer. This may include providing information about claims which did not actually occur or exaggerating or increasing the amount of damages actually incurred.
Types of Home Insurance Fraud
There are various types of home insurance fraud. Some types of home insurance fraud include the following:
- staged accidents
- staged crimes, such as a staged burglary or staged fire also known as arson
- exaggeration of damages
- submitting padded home improvement estimates for damage for claims reimbursement
Home Insurance Fraud Felony Charges
Individuals who commit home insurance fraud are guilty of a crime. Usually, the prosecution of home insurance fraud cases is handled by state insurance departments or county district attorney offices, as the applicable law is state based. All states have insurance fraud laws which generally treat insurance fraud as a felony. Depending upon the circumstances and jurisdiction, the penalties for home insurance fraud can include prison time of more than then years and fines greater than $10,000.00.
Help from a Lawyer
Home insurance fraud cases involve a complex area of the law. As a result, it is important to retain the services of an experienced home insurance fraud attorney who can easily navigate this complicated area of the law. In addition, an experienced attorney will have access to new trends and developments in the law and understand how these new issues will impact one’s case.
Moreover, a seasoned attorney may have relationships with the prosecuting attorneys which can serve to further any plea bargain negotiations, in the event one seeks to attempt to resolve the matter with a plea bargain. Ultimately, an attorney will help to achieve the most favorable outcome while also preserving one’s rights.
