This homeowners’ claim involved loss from alleged smoke and ash damage from a wildfire. The loss was reported by a California public adjuster in March this year; their notice of loss referenced an unspecified wildfire event in June 2022 and bears a digital signature of the insured. We interviewed the insured who recalled receiving a… Read More
homeowners insurance fraud
Insureds’ statements reveal fraudulent smoke and ash claims by PA firm
An adjuster was handling a smoke and ash claim in California, which was reported a year after the claimed wildfire. The inspection found ash in the home, with a cleaning estimate at $5,533.00. The claim was paid. The claim was made by a public adjusting (PA) firm, which stated the cost to clean the home… Read More
Claimant tried to get new appliances – for free
The insured purchased a homeowners policy in early December 2021 for her newly constructed home. She called the next month to say that someone broke into her home in early January, taking her stove, refrigerator, washer/dryer and a tankless water heater. She said she had not moved in yet. Her cousin noticed the front door… Read More
Vandalism claimed to get new appliances for free
Our client’s adjuster was assigned a $15,000 homeowner’s claim for vandalism, reportedly by a homeless person. The insured reported that someone broke into his home while he was out of the country on vacation, changing the lock on the front door so he could stay there. Because this was a new policy loss of just… Read More
Home “intruder” was actually a boyfriend
A homeowner reported waking in the middle of the night to an intruder. A fight ensued and the intruder fled with over $6,000 in personal property, breaking two windows. The insured acknowledged recognizing the suspect as a prior renter. The suspicious incident was referred to IS as a possible case of homeowner policy fraud. Investigators… Read More