Man arrested for filing false insurance claim for car window

August 21, 2008 - 1:38 PM

A Schenectady man has been arrested for filing a false insurance claim for a broken window, the state Insurance Department announced Thursday.

Mark Davis, 49, was arrested Tuesday for filing the $3,298 claim after investigators say he smashed his own car window in order to claim money.

He was charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records.

According the Insurance Department, Davis filed a claim with State Farm Insurance Company on Aug. 19th, reporting someone had smashed the rear window of his 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Davis submitted an affadavit to the company claiming his car was vandalized, submitting with it a $3,298 repair estimate.

When an insurance adjuster inspected the car and found the window intact, the company contacted Davis, who insisted the window was broken and asked the adjuster to return and re-inspect the car.

Upon his second inspection, the adjuster found the window smashed. Witnesses later told authorities that Davis broke the window before the adjuster's second visit.

Davis faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

He was arraigned in Schenectady County Court and released pending an Aug. 27th court appearance.