Renters Insurance

In January of this year, the NICB began a multi-claim/carrier investigation into a woman who allegedly opened renters’ insurance policies on twelve 12 occasions. She used actual addresses of homes or hotels in her applications for insurance policies.  Evidence indicated she appeared to have not resided at any of those locations. She reportedly used fictitious financial institution accounts to secure the policies, and in most cases filed fictitious fire loss claims within hours or days of activating the policies. She allegedly repeatedly collected additional living expenses (ALE), using the money to rent hotel accommodations, and in some cases received additional financial compensation from NICB member companies purportedly totaling $5,612. Further research by NICB indicated over the past 4 years the woman appeared to be responsible for 86 similar claims, in 11 states, affecting 14 different NICB member companies for which other NICB Regions and law enforcement investigations are underway. The NICB partnered with the State Police who agreed to open an investigation. On 07/11/24, the Prosecutor filed charges on the woman. She has been charged with six counts of fraud, corrupt business influence, and the prosecutor has filed a notice to seek the habitual offender enhancement. If convicted, she could face up to an additional 6 years, non-suspendable, on top of what she receives for the other charges.