Vermont § 2031 - Insurance fraud

§ 2031. Insurance fraud

• (a) Definitions. As used in this section: (1) “Conceal” means to take affirmative action intended to prevent others from discovering
  information. Mere failure to disclose information does not constitute concealment. (2) “Insurance policy” has the same meaning as in 8 V.S.A. § 4722(3) and includes a workers’ compensation policy issued pursuant to 21 V.S.A. chapter
  9. (3) “Insurer” has the same meaning as in 8 V.S.A. § 4901(2) and includes a workers’ compensation insurer pursuant to 21 V.S.A. chapter 9. (b) Fraudulent insurance act. No person shall, with intent to defraud: (1) present or cause to be presented a claim for payment or benefit, pursuant to any insurance
  policy, that contains false representations as to any material fact or which conceals
  a material fact; or (2) present or cause to be presented any information that contains false representations
  as to any material fact or that conceals a material fact concerning the solicitation
  for sale of any insurance policy or purported insurance policy, an application for
  certificate of authority, or the financial condition of any insurer. (c) Penalties. A person who violates subsection (b) of this section shall: (1) if the benefit wrongfully obtained or the loss suffered by any person as a result
  of the violation has a value of less than $900.00, be imprisoned for not more than
  six months or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both; or (2) if the benefit wrongfully obtained or the loss suffered by any person as a result
  of the violation has a value of more than $900.00, be imprisoned for not more than
  five years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both; or (3) for a second or subsequent offense, regardless of the value of the benefit wrongfully
  obtained, be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than $20,000.00,
  or both. (d) Administrative action. Upon the conviction of a practitioner for a violation of subsection (b) of this section,
  the prosecutor shall inform the appropriate licensing authority. Any victim may notify
  the appropriate licensing authorities in this State and any other jurisdiction in
  which the practitioner is licensed of the conviction. (e) This section shall not be construed to limit or restrict prosecution under any other
  applicable law. (f) Immunity. No insurer or insurance professional acting in good faith and furnishing or disclosing
  information to the appropriate law enforcement official shall be subject to civil
  liability for libel, slander, or any other cause of action arising from the furnishing
  or disclosing of such information, except if the information is furnished solely to
  obtain an advantage in connection with a claim that will be, is being, or has been
  filed. (g) The public policy of this State is that the standards of this section shall not apply
  or be introduced into evidence in any civil or administrative proceeding, whether
  to argue public policy, materiality, or for any other purpose. (Added 2005, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2006; amended 2007, No. 208 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)