Napavine Woman Accused of Insurance Fraud

March 02-- Mar. 2--A Napavine woman was charged with second-degree theft after an investigation by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler's Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) found she had failed to report she recovered missing jewelry after receiving settlement money.

Teri Simpson, 43, has a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on March 13.

According to a press release from Kreidler's office, the CIU investigation allegedly uncovered that Simpson filed a renter's insurance claim with Grange Insurance in January 2018 for a lost bracelet that was valued at $2,400.

Simpson received $1,320 in settlement money and allegedly found the bracelet in her purse about five months later. However, she didn't inform the insurer that she found it.

"Simpson's renter's insurance policy included language stating that the company must be notified if property is recovered after a claim is settled, and the insured has the option to keep the settlement money or the property, but not both," reads the press release.

CIU partners with Washington State Patrol and local justice systems on criminal cases.

According to the press release, insurance fraud costs the average family $400 to $700 per year in increased premiums.

Insurance fraud can be reported on the insurance commissioner's website.

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