Arson is a serious crime. It can cause catastrophic property damage and can lead to severe injury or death for people nearby at the time of the fire. Arson can involve personal property, such as vehicles. Frequently, arson involves real property.
Sometimes, arson is a crime intended to harm a specific person. Other times, arson is a means of destroying evidence of another crime. There may also be a financial incentive for arson. In some cases, insurance claims after a fire could trigger investigations and possibly criminal charges.
People may set fires to file insurance claims
There are many reasons why individuals might commit arson offenses for financial purposes. Insurance fraud is a common incentive for arson, which means that investigators look at coverage and claims closely.
If a fire occurs shortly after someone increases their coverage, that could raise questions about whether the fire was intentional. In cases where neighbors noticed people were moving their most valuable or sentimental assets from the property before the fire occurred, that could also raise questions about whether the fire was intentional.
The way that people communicate with law enforcement and insurance professionals can also raise questions about what truly occurred. Sometimes, investigators may misinterpret an individual’s conduct or motives and accuse them of causing a fire that was actually accidental.
People facing arson charges because of a large insurance claim may need help looking into ways to defend themselves. Fighting arson charges requires a thorough review of evidence and an understanding of the law. Defendants often need help if they want to avoid a life-altering criminal conviction after a fire that investigators believe was arson.