Auto Insurance Fraud

California Auto Insurance Fraud – Penal Code Section 550 PC

Los Angeles Auto Insurance Defense Attorney

California auto insurance fraud laws are covered in Penal Code Section 548, Penal Code Section 549, Penal Code Section 550, and Penal Code Section 551. The legal definition for auto insurance fraud is extremely complicated. In short, the crime is committed when a person does any act in order to obtain money through fraud from an auto insurance company.

Examples of auto insurance fraud include the following:

  1. You claim that their car was stolen when it was not. This often happens when a vehicle is leased, or owned, and either the value of the vehicle has decreased, or the person can no longer afford the payments on the car.
  2. When you claim an accident occurred when it did not to get money.
  3. When you have a legitimate accident, however, you pile on damage that previously occurred.

Because of the high instance of insurance fraud, the insurance companies now fund law enforcement and prosecutors in special units to go after those who they suspect of committing insurance fraud. Unfortunately, in many instance the independence of prosecutors is pushed aside and case are filing against a person who is merely suspected of insurance fraud.

The penalties for committing a California auto insurance fraud include the very real possibility of a long stint in State prison, substantial fines, lose of employment and a criminal record.

If you have had a search warrant executed against you or your bank accounts, have been arrested or are under investigation for a Los Angeles auto insurance fraud defense attorney, then contact Michael Kraut at (323) 464-6453 for a free and confidential consultation. Prior to opening his firm, Mr. Kraut was a senior prosecutor in the elite Major Fraud’s Division of the District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Kraut was educated at Harvard Law School and was a white collar prosecutor. Now he provides aggressive defense for his clients charged with a Los Angeles auto insurance fraud.

In most cases the prosecutor will file auto insurance fraud charges by filing several counts of California Penal Code Section 550 PC and at least one count of violating Section 810 of the Business and Professions Code. The elements of the charges are actually quite simple. There are two very clear cut elements.

  1. That you submitted a fraudulent claim to an insurance company with full knowledge of the fraud, and
  2. at the time you submitted the claim you did so with the intent to defraud the insurance company out of money.

As explained previously, the intent to defraud means that you either provided false information or you failed to provide “material” information that you were required to provide to the insurance company.

The Penal Code delineates certain offenses associated with auto insurance fraud in California.

California Penal Code Section 548 PC – makes it illegal to intentionally damaging, or disposing of your property, or the property of another person in order to submit an insurance claim.

California Penal Code Section 549 PC – This section makes it a crime to knowingly refer another person to an auto body shop or a medical professional with the intent that they file an insurance claim. This section is often used to charge chiropractors with auto insurance fraud, doctors or physicians with auto insurance fraud. In some instances, prosecutors have even charged lawyers or attorneys with insurance fraud.

California Penal Code Section 550 PC – This section is the most common charge filed against a person suspected of a Los Angeles auto insurance fraud. Penal Code Section 550 PC prevents fraudulent insurance claims for a property loss or a personal injury. This includes the signing of any document necessary to file an insurance claim if you know the information to be false. It is not necessary that the document be presented to the insurance company, only that it be prepared with the intent to provide it to the company. The code section is also used if a person “stages” an accident in order to submit any false insurance claim. Lastly, prosecutors also use this section if you claim to live in an area that you do not just so that you can get a cheaper insurance premium.

California Penal Code Section 551 PC – This section makes it a crime for auto repair shops or dealers to offer insurance adjusters a kickback or commission to refer someone to their shop.

California Business and Professions Code Section 810 B&P - This code section is used when Dentists are accused with insurance fraud, or doctors are charged with insurance fraud, or any other health care professional knowingly commits a health care insurance fraud by submitting false claims or telling patients to give false information to an insurance carrier to get a claim paid.

Punishment for Auto Insurance Fraud in California

The punishment for committing a Los Angeles auto insurance fraud is very severe. If you are an attorney or a physician, the penalties are even more severe because you will loose your professional licenses. California auto insurance fraud laws are wobblers. The prosecutor can elect to file the charge as a felony or a misdemeanor.

Misdemeanor punishment – Misdemeanors will be punished with a jail sentence of up to one year in county jail, a fine, and probation as well a the serious potential for the lose of a professional license.

Felony punishment – A felony conviction can result in a prison sentence of up to 5 years. You will need to be on formal probation and report to a probation officer. The fines can be up to $10,000 and the court can order you to pay full restitution. In the case of health care professionals, restitution could be in the millions of dollars.

Share |
Featured on CNN
ABC News
NBC News
Los Angeles Times
CBS News
Today
The New York Times
Us Weekly
Entertainment Tonight
Good Morning America
Legal Broadcast Network
Avvo Rating 10.0
Client Reviews
★★★★★
Michael Kraut is outstanding! He genuinely cared about my case and instructed my mom and I throughout the entire process. He was very clear on what he needed in order to receive the best results. He kept us updated until the end. I thank him so much for getting my charges rejected. I highly recommend him to anyone with legal needs! Shaquan
★★★★★
I contacted Michael with concern for my personal and business reputation. He was very reassuring and confident the entire time. After about 3 weeks it was determined that no charges were being filed by any agency and I was in the clear of any investigation. One thing that is amazing is just how FAST Michael is at replying to phone calls, texts, and even emails! We are talking under 30 minutes in most cases. That is unheard of for most attorneys! Michael is incredible and not your typical run of the mill attorney. For best results hire him if you feel like you might be under investigation or could face charges. Even if you know you are innocent it is best to take care of the smoke before it becomes a fire. Brad
★★★★★
Michael Kraut is-hands down-the best criminal defense attorney and I can't begin to thank him for all that he did for me and my family. I reached out to him in the middle of the night and less than a couple hours later, he had gotten back to me and scheduled a meeting. He's a no-nonsense attorney who knows how to get the job done! From the second we retained him, I had peace of mind in knowing that we were in the best hands possible. If Michael Kraut couldn't get it done, I knew that it couldn't be done at all. You can't put a price tag on your freedom. He was worth every single penny. Lida
★★★★★
Michael Kraut is an outstanding attorney. He was extremely professional, and straightforward, yet sensitive with my case. I am confident I made the right choice by hiring Michael. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a truly experienced lawyer. Daniel
★★★★★
Michael Kraut - I cannot thank you enough for all that you did for ​my son. When I came to you I read that you used to be a district attorney but I never knew how much that meant until I watch you in court. I knew it took 3 months but the final day when I heard the judge say that all charges were dismissed it was all worth it! I will always be grateful for all that you did for us. A.N.