This bill would add a new federal crime to Title 18 called motor vehicle collision fraud. It makes it illegal to knowingly cause, stage, fabricate, or simulate a motor vehicle accident to submit a false insurance claim. False claims covered include payments for medical treatment, repair costs, lost wages, or lost benefits. The bill adds section 1353 to chapter 63 of Title 18. Penalties in the bill are: up to 10 years in prison or fines for the basic offense; up to 20 years or fines if the fraud results in serious bodily injury (as defined in section 1365); and any term of years or life or fines if the fraud results in death. The bill also requires that fines collected under the new section be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund. The bill was introduced in the House on September 3, 2026, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
If a person knowingly stages or fakes a car crash to get insurance money, this bill would let federal prosecutors bring charges under the new federal offense. Convictions could lead to prison time and fines. Penalties are higher if someone is seriously injured or killed.
No publicly available information about changes in federal spending or enforcement costs. The bill specifies that fines collected under the new criminal section must be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.