Insurance Fraud in Weld County, 4 Things to Know
Are you facing an Insurance Fraud charge in Weld County? The top lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office can help you with your charges and protecting your rights in the Weld County court system. Dependent on whether you filed a false claims for insurance benefits or gave false information to increase your benefit, you can be charged with a felony or misdemeanor Insurance Fraud charge. Read more below to learn the law on Insurance Fraud. For charges in Fort Collins, find help here.
#1 What is the Definition of Insurance Fraud, C.R.S. 18-5-211, in Greeley, Colorado?
The Greeley definition of Insurance Fraud, C.R.S. 18-5-211, is:
A person commits insurance fraud if the person does any of the following:
(b) With an intent to defraud presents or causes to be presented any insurance claim, which claim contains false material information or withholds material information;
(c) With an intent to defraud causes or participates, or purports to be involved, in a vehicular collision, or any other vehicular accident, for the purpose of presenting any false or fraudulent insurance claim;
(d) With an intent to defraud presents or causes to be presented an insurance claim where the loss or damage claimed occurred outside of the period of time that coverage was in effect for the applicable contract of insurance or policy unless otherwise permitted under the contract of insurance or policy; or
(e) With an intent to defraud presents or causes to be presented any written, verbal, or digital material or statement as part of, in support of or in opposition to, a claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy, knowing that the material or statement contains false material information or withholds material information.
(2) A person commits insurance fraud if he or she knowingly moves, diverts, or misappropriates premium funds belonging to an insurer or unearned premium funds belonging to an insured or applicant for insurance from a trust or other account without the authorization of the owner of the funds or other lawful justification.
(3) A person commits insurance fraud if he or she with an intent to defraud makes, alters, presents, or causes to be presented a certificate or other evidence of the existence of insurance in any form that contains false material information or omits material information.
#2 Why are People Usually Charged with Insurance Fraud in Weld County?
In Weld County, people are charged with Insurance Fraud in different ways. Examples include:
- Making a fraudulent claim or withholding information
- Applying for a policy with information that is false or leaves facts out to get a better rate or qualify for the policy.
- Creating a false accident report to make a claim
- Claiming a loss which occurred prior to when the policy was issued
An insurance agent can be charged with Insurance Fraud if they distribute funds from a policy without authorization or justification. They can also be charged if they give a policy to a person or entity knowing that the application is based on false information.
#3 In Greeley, Colorado, What are the Sentence and Penalties for Insurance Fraud?
The sentence for most Insurance Fraud convictions is a class 5 felony which carries penalties of 1-3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, a fine of up to $100,000, and a mandatory 2-year parole period. If the conviction happens because a policy was issued due to a fraudulent application, then the sentence is a class 1 misdemeanor, with penalties that include 6 -18 months in Weld County Jail, and a fine of up to $5,000.
#4 What are Related Criminal Charges in Weld County to Insurance Fraud?
Charges related to Insurance Fraud in Weld County are:
- Identity Theft, C.R.S. 18-5-902
- Forgery, C.R.S. 18-5-102
If you are facing Insurance Fraud charges or a related charge, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6006. Our top defense lawyers are ready to talk about your case. Together, we can protect your future.
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