Vehicle Arson and Insurance Fraud

Vehicle arson is a unique crime that goes through cycles of popularity. In France, thousands of cars are burned every year as a common sign of protest. In the United States, burning cars in riots is much more rare. Instead, vehicles are more often burned accidentally after catching on fire during an accident. When arson does occur, it may be performed by a thief trying to cover up evidence, or by an individual trying to get revenge or commit homicide against another. In bad economic times, vehicle arson skyrockets for another reason: to get out of car payments and collect on insurance.
Facing Costly Vehicle Payments
Many Americans purchase new cars and commit to making steep car payments that they can barely afford. Instead of picking a more economical small car, they opt for a larger, flashier vehicle that is much more expensive. A lot of individuals who buy expensive new vehicles soon discover that they can not afford to make the monthly payment. Especially when the economy is down, many families struggle to pay all of their bills on a suddenly reduced income. When gas prices increase, people who own gas guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks may no longer be able to afford the gas for their vehicles, let alone their monthly payment. Many Americans in this situation begin to panic over the prospect of not being able to sell their car and having to face repossession.
Torching the Car
Instead of facing repossession and defaulting on payments, some car owners opt to purposely burn their vehicles instead. Sometimes owners do this themselves, or they may hire an arsonist to do the job for them. They then make an insurance claim, claiming an accident or arson, hoping to get out of the costly car payment while collecting the insurance money. While this may seem like a quick fix for getting out of financial trouble, police and fire investigators have become adept at detecting whether a fire started accidentally or was done intentionally. If you are caught trying to falsely collect on your insurance, you could be arrested for vehicle arson and insurance fraud, both of which are typically tried as felonies.
Arson and Fraud Convictions
Police departments around the country have begun to crack down on insurance fraud rings. They may conduct a sting operation to catch vehicle owners and arsonists in the act of committing fraud or arson. A conviction on either account could land you in prison for several years and may include a hefty fine, not to mention your personal and professional reputation will be left in tatters. If you have been charged with arson or insurance fraud, consider contacting a criminal defense lawyer immediately to defend your case and protect your rights.
To Learn More
For more information on preparing your court defense against criminal charges, please visit the website of the experienced West Palm Beach criminal attorneys Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today.