Rhode Island § 11-41-29 - Theft, Embezzlement, False Pretenses, and Misappropriation

§ 11-41-29. Insurance fraud — Prohibited activities.

(a) When used in this section:

(1) “Insurer” means, but is not limited to, an authorized insurer, self-insurer, re-insurer, broker, producer, or any agent of them.

(2) “Larceny” means the crime of larceny established in this chapter and by common law, including the requirement of specific intent.

(3) “Person” means any individual, partnership, association, firm, corporation, or any other legal entity.

(4) “Statement” means, but is not limited to, any written notice, statement, proof of loss, bill of lading, receipt for payment, invoice, account, estimate of property damages, bills for services, diagnosis, prescription, hospital or doctor records, x-rays, test result or other evidence of loss, injury or expense.

(b)(1) Every person who, with the intent to deceive, prepares or assists, abets, or solicits another to prepare or make any written statement that is intended to be presented to any insurer in connection with, or in support of, any application for the issuance of an insurance policy, knowing that the statement contains any false information material to the application, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for a period of not more than one year, or both.

(2) Every person who, with the intent to deceive, prepares or assists, abets, or solicits another to prepare or make any written statement, including computer-generated documents, that is intended to be presented to any insurer in connection with, or in support of, any claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy, knowing that the statement contains any false information material to the claim, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for a period of not more than one year, or both.

(3) Every person who, with the intent to deceive, presents or causes to be presented to any insurer any written statement, including computer-generated documents, as part of or in support of a claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy, knowing that the statement contains false information material to the claim, shall be deemed guilty of larceny.

(4) Every person who, with the intent to deceive, presents or causes to be presented to any claimant any written statement, including computer-generated documents, as part of or in support of its contest of any claim for payment or other benefit pursuant to an insurance policy, knowing that the statement contains any false information material to the claim, shall be deemed guilty of larceny.