TCOLE Criminal Investigations Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Study Resource

A vehicle owner may commit insurance fraud by abandoning the vehicle with the intention of claiming insurance compensation for its loss. This act involves a deliberate decision to dispose of the vehicle in a way that misleads the insurance company into believing the loss was genuine. The owner hopes to receive a payout for the vehicle's worth, effectively profiting from their unlawful actions.

Abandoning a vehicle can involve leaving it in a public place, making it appear that it was stolen or lost, and subsequently filing a claim for theft or total loss with the insurance company. This is a clear manipulation of the insurance system, as the owner never intended to keep the vehicle and instead sought personal gain through deceitful means.

In contrast, the other options do not typically fit the legal definition of insurance fraud. Refurbishing a vehicle, selling it at a loss, or repairing it after a theft doesn't inherently involve deceit or an effort to defraud an insurer. These actions can be part of legitimate vehicle ownership and financial management rather than fraudulent activity.