Utah criminal charge
Insurance fraud in Utah
Current through 2026 Utah legislative session
Insurance fraud is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521. Its classification is not fixed: Utah assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521.
What is the penalty for insurance fraud in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Fraudulent misrepresentation to obtain policy (underwriting) — Violation of (2)(a)(i), presenting false information to obtain an insurance policy the insurer would not otherwise issue.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Fraudulent misrepresentation to obtain policy (underwriting) — Violation of (2)(a)(i), presenting false information to obtain an insurance policy the insurer would not otherwise issue.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Fraudulent insurance act — value under $500 — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value of property, money, or thing obtained or sought is less than $500.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Fraudulent insurance act — value under $500 — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value of property, money, or thing obtained or sought is less than $500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | Fraudulent insurance act — value $500 to $1,500 — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $500 or more but less than $1,500.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Fraudulent insurance act — value $500 to $1,500 — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $500 or more but less than $1,500.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Fraudulent insurance act — value $1,500 to $5,000 — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Fraudulent insurance act — value $1,500 to $5,000 — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Fraudulent insurance act — value $5,000 or more — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $5,000 or more.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Fraudulent insurance act — value $5,000 or more — Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $5,000 or more.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | Fraudulent claim scheme — loss under $1,500 or undetermined — Violation of (2)(a)(iii), a scheme to file a claim for a loss already occurred, where the value of the loss is less than $1,500 or cannot be determined.; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Fraudulent claim scheme — loss under $1,500 or undetermined — Violation of (2)(a)(iii), a scheme to file a claim for a loss already occurred, where the value of the loss is less than $1,500 or cannot be determined.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $1,500 to $5,000 — Violation of (2)(a)(iii) where the value of the loss is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $1,500 to $5,000 — Violation of (2)(a)(iii) where the value of the loss is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 15 years (Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $5,000 or more — Violation of (2)(a)(iii) where the value of the loss is $5,000 or more.; indeterminate prison term, unless the statute provides otherwise; actual release is determined by the Board of Pardons and Parole) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $5,000 or more — Violation of (2)(a)(iii) where the value of the loss is $5,000 or more.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-203 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is insurance fraud classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fraudulent misrepresentation to obtain policy (underwriting) | Class A Misdemeanor | Violation of (2)(a)(i), presenting false information to obtain an insurance policy the insurer would not otherwise issue. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(a) |
| Fraudulent insurance act — value under $500 | Class B Misdemeanor | Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value of property, money, or thing obtained or sought is less than $500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(i) |
| Fraudulent insurance act — value $500 to $1,500 | Class A Misdemeanor | Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $500 or more but less than $1,500. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(ii) |
| Fraudulent insurance act — value $1,500 to $5,000 | Third Degree Felony | Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(iii) |
| Fraudulent insurance act — value $5,000 or more | Second Degree Felony | Violation of (2)(a)(ii) or (2)(b) through (2)(h) where the value obtained or sought is $5,000 or more. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(iv) |
| Fraudulent claim scheme — loss under $1,500 or undetermined | Class A Misdemeanor | Violation of (2)(a)(iii), a scheme to file a claim for a loss already occurred, where the value of the loss is less than $1,500 or cannot be determined. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(c)(i) |
| Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $1,500 to $5,000 | Third Degree Felony | Violation of (2)(a)(iii) where the value of the loss is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(c)(ii) |
| Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $5,000 or more | Second Degree Felony | Violation of (2)(a)(iii) where the value of the loss is $5,000 or more. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(c)(iii) |
Common questions about insurance fraud in Utah
Is insurance fraud a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: insurance fraud ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521.
Fraudulent misrepresentation to obtain policy (underwriting): Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(a)) · Fraudulent insurance act — value under $500: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(i)) · Fraudulent insurance act — value $500 to $1,500: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(ii)) · Fraudulent insurance act — value $1,500 to $5,000: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(iii)) · Fraudulent insurance act — value $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(b)(iv)) · Fraudulent claim scheme — loss under $1,500 or undetermined: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(c)(i)) · Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $1,500 to $5,000: Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(c)(ii)) · Fraudulent claim scheme — loss $5,000 or more: Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521(3)(c)(iii))
What are the penalties for insurance fraud in Utah?
Which Utah statute covers insurance fraud?
Insurance fraud is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-521 (Insurance fraud).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.