While not exactly an insurance coverage case per se, the Intermediate Court of Appeals just came out with a new decision on jury instructions in a criminal insurance fraud case. See State v. Watanabe, No. 26777 (December 31, 2007). In short, an individual damaged his own car and attempted to file a vandalism claim against AIG. AIG representatives became suspicious when they noted the systematic nature of the damage and the fact that some of the damaged areas appeared to be rusted (indicating the damaged had occurred previously).
This case is a good reminder that insurance fraud is theft and will be treated accordingly.
