Pet Owner Charged with Filing Bogus Insurance Claim for Emergency
Veterinary Services
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 On June 22, 2023, Andrel Caprario was arrested in Dauphin County. According to the criminal complaint, on May 30, 2022, Caprario went online and obtained a pet insurance policy for his dog from Fetch Insurance. On June 2, 2022, Caprario allegedly filed an online claim with the insurer and reported that his dog had to be treated by a veterinarian after being injured in a fight with another dog. The complaint stated that Caprario then uploaded to the insurer an invoice purportedly from the Pet Emergency Treatment and Specialties facility. Investigators reviewed the invoice and allegedly found that it included “furnace, duct forms, copper pipe, and install labor” in the body of the document. According to the complaint, the invoice appeared to have been altered so that the heading read “Pet Emergency Treatment and Specialties.” Fetch Insurance allegedly contacted the veterinary facility and was advised that the veterinarian had no record of the purported treatment of Caprario’s dog. During an interview with investigators, Caprario allegedly admitted that he obtained the policy from his home and submitted the invoice in order to get Fetch Insurance to pay for the purported treatment of his dog. Fetch Insurance denied the claim. Caprario was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3), and one count of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3). |
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 On June 26, 2023, Deja Washington was arrested in Lancaster County. According to the criminal complaint, on March 11, 2022, Washington purchased an automobile insurance policy from the Progressive Insurance Company for her 2011 Hyundai Sonata. On April 16, 2022, Washington allegedly filed an automobile insurance claim using the Progressive mobile app, indicating that at approximately 1:47 AM on April 14, 2022, her boyfriend was operating her vehicle when it struck a deer. The complaint stated that Washington’s boyfriend was not listed as a driver on the policy. The complaint further stated that when investigators interviewed the boyfriend, he mentioned that the vehicle was drivable after the deer strike, but had to be towed from Washington’s house to an auto body shop because it would not start the following morning. Investigators allegedly learned from the tow company that Washington’s vehicle was towed from her address to an auto body shop on March 10, 2022, at 4:30 PM, one day before Washington purchased her automobile insurance policy. Progressive denied the claim. Washington was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3), and one count of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3). |
 On June 22, 2023, Austin Reges was arrested in Butler County. According to the criminal complaint, a couple hired Reges’ company, Triple B Landscape and Construction, to pour a stamped concrete patio at their house in Allegheny County. On September 6, 2022, an employee of Triple B was allegedly operating equipment to clear the area for the patio, when the machine unearthed the main electrical wire to the house. The complaint stated that Reges then damaged the wire when he tried to disconnect it with a pickaxe. The complaint further stated that the couple hired Stewart Electric to repair the damaged line, and on November 9, 2022, the repairs were completed. The couple allegedly paid Stewart Electric in full for the repairs, with a check in amount of $3,439.00. According to the complaint, Reges was provided with a copy of the paid repair bill, with the expectation that he would reimburse the couple for the cost of the repairs. The complaint stated that Reges filed a claim on his business insurance policy with Western World Insurance Company and on December 26, Reges provided the insurer with a copy of the paid bill from Stewart Electric. The complaint stated that the insurer subsequently issued a check to Reges on January 13, 2023, for the full amount minus the $1,000.00 policy deductible. Reges allegedly cashed the insurance check on January 30, 2023. According to the complaint, the couple contacted Western World Insurance Company about the claim status on February 3, and was informed that Reges had been paid. The complaint stated that the insurer reopened the claim after learning that Reges had not reimbursed the couple. Western World Insurance Company allegedly made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Regis, then issued payment directly to the couple. Investigators interviewed Reges, who allegedly stated that he could not reimburse the couple because his ex-girlfriend had emptied his bank account. Reges was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Theft by Deception (F3). |
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 On June 22, 2023, Tyler Hulbert was arrested in Westmoreland County. According to the criminal complaint, on February 10, 2022, Hulbert’s USAA automobile insurance policy covering his 2017 Chevrolet Colorado was canceled for non-payment of the policy premium. On August 21, 2022, at approximately 7:00 AM, Hulbert allegedly was driving his Chevrolet Colorado when it left the road, struck several fence posts, then plunged over an embankment into a large ditch. Later that same day, Hulbert allegedly obtained a USAA automobile insurance policy, which became effective on August 22, 2022, at 12:01 AM. The complaint stated that at 9:43 AM on August 23, 2022, Hulbert filed an online claim with USAA, in which he reported that the accident involving his Chevy had occurred at approximately 7:00 AM on August 22. During a recorded call with USAA, Hulbert allegedly verified the aforementioned date and time of the loss. However, the complaint stated that investigators learned that State Police and a tow company had been called to the accident scene at 10:48 AM on August 21, which was before Hulbert’s coverage took effect. Further, the complaint stated that the tow company’s invoice and a Carfax damage / accident report indicated that the crash had occurred on August 21. USAA denied the claim. Hulbert was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3). |
 On June 21, 2023, Raymond Mills, Jr. was taken into custody in Maryland on a Fugitive warrant, then agreed to return to Montgomery County, PA to face charges filed in this case. According to the criminal complaint, Progressive Insurance canceled Mill’s automobile coverage for his 2017 Jeep Compass due to non-payment of the premium. On March 3, 2022, at 10:46 AM, Mills allegedly called Progressive to purchase a new automobile policy for his Jeep Compass. The complaint stated that at approximately 3:36 PM that same day, Mills called Progressive and filed a claim for a hit-and-run accident involving his Jeep Compass. In recorded statements with Progressive representatives, Mills allegedly maintained that the loss had occurred on March 3, between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM. However, the complaint stated that during one of those recorded conversations, Mills subsequently stated that the accident had occurred between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. According to the complaint, investigators obtained a copy of the policy accident report, as well as copies of photographs taken at the accident scene by the owner of the other involved vehicle. Based upon information in the police report and the metadata from the photographs, investigators concluded that the accident actually occurred at approximately 5:15 AM on March 3, 2022, prior to the inception of Mills’ coverage. Progressive denied the claim. Mills was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Use of a Communications Facility (F3), and one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3). |
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 On June 21, 2023, Jaquil Boggs-Rose was arrested in Chester County. According to the criminal complaint, as of May 26, 2022, at 6:53 PM, Boggs-Rose’s 2012 Hyundai Sonata was covered by his mother’s automobile insurance policy with The General Insurance Company. On May 30, Boggs-Rose allegedly contacted The General and reported that his vehicle had been damaged in a hit-and-run accident which had occurred moments earlier. However, the complaint stated that the driver of the other involved vehicle had already reported to his insurer, Progressive Insurance, that the accident had occurred on May 26, 2022, at 6:08 PM. During an investigation of the claim by The General, the other involved driver allegedly provided the insurer with photographs that he had taken at the accident scene. Investigators also obtained a copy of the crash report from the Newtown Township Police Department. According to the complaint, the metadata from the photographs and the police accident report confirmed that the crash had occurred on May 26, 2022, at 6:08 PM, which was before Boggs-Rose’s Sonata was added to his mother’s policy with The General. Further, investigators allegedly determined that Boggs-Rose’s Sonata was not damaged during a hit-and-run accident as he had first claimed. The General denied the claim. Boggs-Rose was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3). |
 On June 20, 2023, Nicole Swartz was arrested in Mercer County. According to the criminal complaint, on August 29, 2022, Swartz’s automobile insurance policy with Progressive Insurance Company was canceled for non-payment. On September 8, 2022, at 5:29 PM, Swartz allegedly reinstated her Progressive coverage for her 2007 Mitsubishi Raider pickup truck. Before the coverage was reinstated, Swartz allegedly signed a Statement of No Loss, which indicated that the truck had not been damaged or involved in any accident during the lapse in coverage. The complaint stated that on September 12, 2022, at 8:48 AM, Swartz telephoned Progressive and reported that on September 11, 2022, at 10:40 PM, she had been operating her pickup truck in Ohio when the truck was involved in an accident. Swartz allegedly claimed that her boyfriend had been a passenger in the pickup at the time of the accident, when her truck slid off the wet road and struck a concrete barrier. The complaint stated that the boyfriend’s mother verified the reported September 11 accident date. Progressive determined that the truck was a total loss, and issued payment to Swartz in the amount of $5,428.01. According to the complaint, on December 7, 2022, an attorney filed a claim with Progressive and reported that his client was injured on September 8, 2022, when Swartz’s Mitsubishi Raider ran a red light in Cleveland, Ohio, and collided into his client’s rented 2021 Ford Edge. The complaint stated that the attorney provided Progressive with a Cleveland Police Traffic Crash Report and accident scene photographs which supported his client’s claim. Progressive paid $5,732.00 to settle that claim. Swartz allegedly acknowledged to investigators that she had been aware of the August 29, 2022 lapse in her Progressive insurance coverage. When investigators confronted Swartz with photographs of her damaged vehicle, Swartz agreed that the damages appearing in photos taken in conjunction with her September 11 claim appeared to be the same as those appearing in photos from the September 8 claim. Swartz was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Theft by Deception (F3). |
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 On June 20, 2023, Tanna Murray was arrested in Philadelphia County. According to the criminal complaint, on July 26, 2022, at 10:55 AM, Murray called Progressive Insurance, and reported that her 2017 Nissan Rogue had been damaged while parked overnight. Murray and a Progressive representative allegedly discussed the specific damage to the front bumper of Murray’s Rogue, as well as Murray’s $2,000 policy deductible. According to the complaint, Murray then told the representative that she was not going to file a claim at that time. The complaint stated that on July 28, Murray contacted Progressive and lowered her deductible from $2,000 to $500, effective August 2, 2022. On August 5, 2022, at 10:30 AM, Murray allegedly called Progressive and filed a claim for the Rogue’s damaged front bumper, indicating that she had just discovered the damage that morning. The complaint further stated that during a subsequent interview by an investigator, Murray continued to insist that she first discovered the damage on August 5. She also allegedly denied that her vehicle had been involved in any prior incidents, accidents, or losses, or that her Rogue was repaired during the prior three months. When the investigator confronted Murray about her June 26 call to Progressive, Murray allegedly denied making the call and told the investigator that she would contact her attorney. Progressive denied the claim. Murray was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3), and one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (M1). |
 On June 20, 2023, Tiffany Camps was arrested in Montgomery County. According to the criminal complaint, the Progressive Insurance Company canceled Camps’ coverage for her 2022 Toyota Camry on June 10, 2022, at 12:01 AM. On June 10 at 8:48 AM, Camps allegedly contacted Progressive and reported that her Toyota Camry had been involved in an accident with another vehicle. During the recorded call, a Progressive claims representative, allegedly advised Camps that her policy was no longer active and that she should file a claim with the other driver’s insurer. The complaint stated that at 9:18 AM that same day, Camps again contacted Progressive and paid to renew the policy covering her Camry. According to the complaint, after completing the process, Camps asked the representative to verify that her policy would be renewed. The complaint further stated that at 11:08 AM that morning, Camps again contacted Progressive and during the recorded conversation, reported that her Camry had been involved in an accident with another vehicle. Camps allegedly told the insurance representative that the crash occurred after her coverage had been renewed. According to the complaint, Camps subsequently stated to a Progressive investigator during that the accident had occurred following her renewal of coverage. However, the complaint further stated that investigators confirmed that police had responded to the accident scene at 8:40 AM on June 10, which was prior to the renewal of Camps’ coverage. Progressive denied the claim. Camps was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3), one count of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3), and one count of Insurance Fraud (M1). |
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 On June 15, 2023, Jeff Andre was extradited from New York to Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, following his arrest on a warrant that was issued in Dauphin County on March 2, 2023. The warrant was issued pursuant to the filing of a criminal complaint. The complaint stated that Andre completed an American National Property & Casualty vehicle insurance application, on which he stated that his vehicle would be garaged primarily at the policy address in Harrisburg. The complaint further stated that between January 2021 and March 2022, the insurance company sent nine pieces of mail to Andre at the Harrisburg address, all of which were returned as undeliverable. An investigation allegedly revealed that Andre actually resided in New York, and had misrepresented the garaging address in order to pay a lower premium to insure his vehicle. According to the complaint, Andre would have been charged an additional $4,964.00 in premiums to insure the vehicle at his actual address in New York. Andre was charged with one count of Theft by Deception (F3) and one count of Insurance Fraud (M1). |
 On June 13, 2023, Ginger Clapps was arrested in Montgomery County. According to the criminal complaint, on March 17, 2021, Clapps secured liability only coverage for a 2004 Mercedes Benz through Progressive Insurance. On March 28, 2022, at 8:04 AM, Clapps allegedly called Progressive and stated that she purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu on March 25. According to the complaint, Clapps further stated that while driving the Malibu on March 26, she swerved to avoid hitting a deer, causing the car to strike a curb and damaging the Malibu’s right tire and axle. The complaint stated that the Progressive representative advised Clapps that she could add the vehicle to her policy, but that the coverage would not be retroactive. Clapps allegedly called Progressive back at 8:17 AM on March 28, and added full coverage for the Malibu. According to the complaint, Clapps’ fiancé called Progressive at 12:36 PM on March 28, and reported that he had been driving the Malibu that morning when it was involved in a single vehicle accident at 11:00 AM. During a recorded interview on April 1, 2022, Clapps allegedly told Progressive that she had taken her fiancé to work and was sitting in the parking lot of his workplace when she added the Malibu to her policy. The complaint stated that Clapps denied that the vehicle had been involved in any previous accidents or had any prior damage. Clapps allegedly told the Progressive representative that the loss had occurred at approximately 10:00 AM on March 28. According to the complaint, when the representative confronted Clapps with the substance of the recorded telephone calls from March 28, Clapps offered no explanation. During a subsequent interview conducted by investigators, Clapps allegedly admitted that her fiancé had been driving the Malibu when the accident occurred and Clapps thought that only she could drive the vehicle in order for it to be insured by Progressive. Clapps was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3), and one count of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3). |
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 On June 8, 2023, Christopher Cruz was arrested in Schuylkill County. According to the criminal complaint, the Esurance Insurance Company policy covering Cruz’s 2018 Jeep Compass was canceled on May 11, 2022, for non-payment of the policy premium. On May 19, at 5:22 PM, Cruz allegedly reinstated the Esurance policy. The complaint stated that on May 20, Cruz filed a claim with Esurance, in which he reported that the Jeep had been involved in an accident that occurred between 8:00 PM and 8:30 PM on May 19. However, investigators allegedly found that the Schuylkill Haven Police Department had contacted a tow company at 3:09 PM on May 19, and asked them to tow Cruz’s vehicle from the scene of the accident. According to the complaint, Esurance determined that the accident occurred before Cruz’s policy was reinstated. The insurer denied Cruz’s claim. Cruz was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3), and one count of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3). |
 On June 6, 2023, Marvin Devero was arrested in Philadelphia County. According to the criminal complaint, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, Devero’s girlfriend called Kemper Insurance and reported that she had been driving her 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix when it struck a parked car. The girlfriend allegedly reported that Devero had been a passenger in the vehicle’s front seat, and that their young son had been riding in the back seat when the accident occurred. When a Kemper representative interviewed Devero, he allegedly stated that his girlfriend had been driving at the time of the accident. However, the complaint stated that video surveillance footage recovered from the owner of the parked car showed Devero getting out of the Grand Prix’s driver’s side door immediately after the accident. The video also allegedly showed Devero’s girlfriend exiting from the front passenger seat of the car. According to the complaint, Devero was listed on the Kemper policy as an excluded driver. When investigators confronted Devero and his girlfriend about the video, they allegedly admitted that Devero was operating the Grand Prix when the accident occurred. The claim was denied. Devero was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3), one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (M1), one count of Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3), and one count of Criminal Conspiracy (F3). |
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 On June 5, 2023, Carmen Rios-Morales was arrested in Lebanon County. According to the criminal complaint, on March 3, 2022, Rios-Morales added collision and comprehensive coverage with a $500.00 deductible to the Kemper Insurance policy covering her 2011 Infiniti G37. On March 21, 2022, at 4:40 PM, Rios-Morales allegedly reported to Kemper that her Infiniti had been vandalized while it was parked at her residence. The complaint stated that Rios-Morales told the Kemper representative that her vehicle stopped working as she was driving to her job on March 19, 2022, at approximately 5:30 AM. Rios-Morales allegedly stated that she had the disabled vehicle towed to a local dealership and that the dealership suspected that someone had tampered with the fuel in the vehicle’s gas tank. The insurer determined the Infinity to be a total loss and estimated the value of the claim at $7,243.96. According to the complaint, an investigation revealed that Rios-Morales’ Infinity actually was towed to the dealership on February 28, 2022, before she added collision and comprehensive coverage to her policy. Kemper denied payment of the claim. Rios-Morales was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (M1).
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 On June 22, 2023, and following a two-day trial, a Montgomery County jury found Nikia Cromartie guilty of Perjury (F3), Insurance Fraud (F3), Attempted Theft by Deception (F3), Criminal Use of Communication Facility (F3), and False Swearing (M2). Cromartie filed a claim with Erie Insurance against her auto insurance policy. She reported that she was the victim of a hit-and-run crash and repeated this explanation during a recorded interview. While Erie continued to investigate the claim, Cromartie sued the company for up to $50,000 in benefits under the uninsured motorist provisions of her policy. During an ensuing deposition, she again claimed to have been the victim of a hit-and-run crash. Evidence at trial, however, established that while a crash had occurred, Cromartie was the one who fled the scene and that the crash had occurred several hours after she claimed. The defendant was released on bail pending sentencing in September. Her co-defendant, Mark Tyler, is awaiting trial on separate but related charges. |
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 On June 30, 2023, Ricciya Kilpatrick was sentenced in Chester County after entering a negotiated plea to one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (M1). On May 10, 2021, Kilpatrick contacted her insurer, Liberty Mutual, and reported that her 2010 Nissan Murano was sideswiped while parked. Kilpatrick provided Liberty Mutual with photographs of the damaged vehicle. During an investigation, the insurer found that Kilpatrick previously filed a claim with Progressive Insurance on October 26, 2019, for damage to the Nissan. Investigators obtained a copy of the Progressive claim file and compared photos from the 2019 claim with the photos that Kilpatrick had provided to Liberty Mutual in support of the 2021 claim. By comparing the photos and metadata, investigators determined that the damage Kilpatrick had reported to Liberty Mutual was the same damage that she had previously claimed to Progressive. Liberty Mutual denied the May 10, 2021 claim. Kilpatrick was sentenced to serve 24 months of probation which, as part of a global resolution, was made to run concurrent to Kilpatrick’s sentence in another case. Kilpatrick was also fined $25.00 and ordered to pay all court costs. |
 On June 22, 2023, Dominick Hamilton was sentenced in Northampton County after entering a negotiated plea to one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (M1). Hamilton’s Progressive Insurance automobile coverage for his 2012 Genesis was canceled for nonpayment of the premium on September 8, 2021. On January 5, 2022, at approximately 8:00 AM, Hamilton was driving his Genesis when it struck another vehicle, resulting in a chain reaction accident involving six vehicles. Upon learning that his Progressive vehicle insurance had been canceled, Hamilton purchased a new Progressive policy on January 6, 2022, at 6:31 PM. On January 8 at 9:08 AM, Hamilton contacted the insurer and reported that his Genesis had been involved in a multi-vehicle crash at 6:05 AM that morning. Hamilton sent Progressive photographs that he had taken of his damaged vehicle. Investigators examined the metadata from photos and determined that the photos were taken at 1:16 PM on January 6, 2022, before Hamilton purchased his recent policy from Progressive. Hamilton was sentenced to serve 12 months of supervised probation and ordered to pay a fine of $250.00. |
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 On June 21, 2023, Cortenay Richards was sentenced in Montgomery County after entering a negotiated plea to two counts of Insurance Fraud (M1). On December 31, 2021, Richards received a letter from the Philadelphia Police Department advising that her 2011 Nissan Maxima had been impounded because it lacked rims, wheels and side mirrors. Police included photographs of the damage. Five days later, Richards added the Nissan to her existing car insurance policy with Geico. She then made a claim to Geico for repair of the preexisting damage to her car, claiming that it occurred after she had added the car to her policy. Investigators determined that she had known of the damage before adding her car, and Geico denied the claim. Richards then added her Nissan to her father’s Progressive Insurance policy on February 25, 2022. On March 21, 2022, Richards contacted Progressive and reported that her Nissan had been vandalized. Progressive investigators discovered the previous claim Richards had filed with GEICO for damage to the Nissan. The investigators obtained copies of the GEICO claim file and compared photos of the vehicle damage from the earlier GEICO claim with photos of the Nissan from the recent Progressive claim. The investigators determined that the damage was identical in both sets of photos. Richards maintained that she had a body shop repair the prior damage to her vehicle before adding it to her father’s policy. However, the body shop reported no such repairs took place. Progressive denied Richards’ claim. When contacted by a law enforcement investigator, Richards admitted that she knew the car was damaged before she added it to her father’s Progressive policy. Richards was sentenced to serve two years of probation on each count, which will run concurrent to her sentence in an unrelated case. Richards was ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, and to pay a fine and court costs. |
 On June 21, 2023, Joshua Shotts was sentenced in Jefferson County after entering an open plea to one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (M1). Shotts’ girlfriend filed a claim with Nationwide Insurance for damage to the front end and passenger-side windshield of her Jeep Grand Cherokee. In the initial claim, she reported that the windshield had been damaged from a storm. However, during a subsequent interview with investigators, Shotts’ girlfriend claimed that the damage occurred when she swerved to avoid hitting a deer and the Jeep struck a tree at approximately 2:30 AM on July 6. Shotts had stated to investigators that his girlfriend had been driving the vehicle when a deer caused her to swerve and the Jeep hit a tree. He eventually admitted that the damage to the Jeep was not accidental, and that he and his girlfriend staged the collision so that she could collect claim proceeds from Nationwide. Shotts was sentenced to serve 6 months of house arrest, followed by 30 months of probation. He was also ordered to complete 25 hours of community service, to pay a $1,000.00 fine, and to pay all court and prosecution costs. |
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 On June 14, 2023, Michael Donnelly was sentenced in Cambria County after entering an open plea to one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3). On November 8, 2021, Donnelly reported to Erie Insurance that he had been driving his 1971 Plymouth Barracuda in Maryland on November 6, 2021, when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a concrete barrier. Erie Insurance estimated the damages at approximately $48,079.84. During an investigation of the claim, it was discovered that Donnelly had been using the Barracuda to drag race at a raceway in Maryland when the crash occurred on November 6. Investigators obtained documents relating to the race and the crash, including a waiver that Donnelly signed for racetrack EMTs after the accident. The racetrack’s owner/manager and EMT personnel confirmed that the crash occurred and provided photos of the damaged Barracuda to investigators. Donnelly’s Erie Insurance automobile policy explicitly stated that coverage was excluded for bodily injury or property damage suffered as the result of a “racing contest” and/or “speed contest.” Donnelly was sentenced to serve 24 months of probation. He was ordered to pay a $1,000.00 fine and all court and prosecution costs. |
 On June 1, 2023, Quendrell Creech was sentenced in York County after entering an open plea to one count of Insurance Fraud (F3) and one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3). At 1:57 PM on November 15, 2021, Creech obtained coverage for his 2011 Lincoln MKX through Progressive Insurance. On November 16, Creech used the Progressive mobile app to file a claim, stating that his Lincoln struck an animal on November 15, at approximately 11:30 AM. During a subsequent recorded interview, Creech told Progressive that he was driving the vehicle to work when it struck a deer. Creech provided the insurer with four photographs of his damaged vehicle. A claims handler reviewed the photographs and corresponding metadata, which revealed that the photos were taken on November 14, prior to the inception of Creech’s policy. Progressive denied the claim. Creech was ordered to serve two years of probation. |
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 On June 1, 2023, Richard Groff was sentenced in Perry County after entering a negotiated plea to one count of Criminal Attempt / Theft by Deception (F3) and one count of Insurance Fraud (M1). On October 27, 2021, Groff obtained coverage for his 2020 Kia Optima from Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. When he applied for the policy, Groff denied that the Kia had any prior damage or that he had filed any claims with other insurers for damage to the vehicle. Groff subsequently filed a claim with Nationwide, in which he reported that the Kia’s front driver’s side panel and bumper were damaged when the vehicle struck a deer at approximately 11:00 PM on October 29. Nationwide investigators learned that on October 24, Groff had filed a deer strike claim with Root Insurance for damage to the Kia. That claim was denied because Groff’s Root policy did not include comprehensive coverage. Investigators compared photos of the damaged Kia from the two claims and determined that the damage occurred prior to the inception of the Nationwide policy. The claim was denied. Groff was ordered to serve 30 months of probation, complete 40 hours of community service, and pay a fine to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority. |
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Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD)
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During the month of June, 1 additional defendant received Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD).
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Anti-Fraud Compliance
Reporting of Insurance Fraud to Law Enforcement Agency
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Pennsylvania Bulletin Notice 2016-04 (issued April 30, 2016) reminded insurers of their obligations to report suspected arson or insurance fraud to law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth. The bulletin also announced a decision by the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance to allow licensees to satisfy their reporting obligation when they electronically submit reports of suspected fraud to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
On July 6, 2017, Pennsylvania began participating in this online service which enables member companies to electronically forward reports of suspected fraud to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section or other appropriate law enforcement agencies at the same time the companies report suspicious claims to the NICB. NOTE: The NICB is not a law enforcement agency. Therefore, a licensee cannot satisfy the fraud reporting requirement by submitting a non-electronic (paper) referral only to the NICB.
Important: When utilizing electronic filing through NICB, users should take careful note of the provided instructions regarding the “Party” to a claim. Information entered about a Party will only be transmitted to law enforcement if users select one of two options: “This Party was subject to an SIU investigation” or “This Party was subject to an enforcement action.” Some users have missed this notation about individual Party data and consequently have submitted incomplete information to law enforcement.
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