Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Automobile insurance fraud hurts more than just the insurance company which is being defrauded. The losses are passed on to consumers in the form of higher insurance premiums, and thus everyone bears the financial burden.

When fraud artists resort to staged accidents or other dangerous tactics, the safety of everyone on the road can be jeopardized by their crimes.


The District Attorney’s Office recognizes that with the growing sophistication of automobile insurance fraud rings, an equally sophisticated and aggressive law enforcement effort is required to combat them. The District Attorney’s Office has established an Automobile Insurance Fraud Unit with specially trained staff to investigate and prosecute this costly criminal activity, which can include:

  • Staged accidents
  • So Called "paper" accidents which never actually occurred
  • Medical treatment fraud
  • Fraudulent claims by auto body repair shops
  • Fraud involving the issuance of insurance policies or processing of claims
  • Feigned or staged automobile thefts
  • Crimes of violence, such as manslaughter, which may arise from staged accidents


The Unit focuses on the prosecution of individuals or groups engaged in multiple acts of insurance fraud. Defendants can include claimants, policy holders, attorneys, doctors, chiropractors, law office administrators, body shop operators, and insurance agents or brokers.

Reporting Fraud

If you think someone is committing auto insurance fraud, you may report it to the California Department of Insurance. As noted in California Insurance Code section 1879.5, no person shall be subject to civil liability for filing a good faith report of suspected insurance fraud to the Department of Insurance.  The form to report suspected fraud may be accessed by clicking the link below.

Online Insurance Reporting Form to the Department of Insurance

Completed Online Insurance Reporting Forms are to be mailed to the following address:

California Department of Insurance
Enforcement Branch Headquarters Intake Unit
9342 Tech Center Drive, Ste. 100
Sacramento, CA  95826

For further information, please contact the Department of Insurance, Fraud Division at (916) 854-5760, or visit their website at www.insurance.ca.gov