A 33-year-old Los Angeles woman faces insurance-fraud charges after prosecutors say she bought coverage only after a September 2025 traffic collision and then lied about when the crash happened.
At a Glance
- Priscilla Lozano was arrested last Thursday for alleged “crash and buy” fraud
- Investigators claim she was uninsured at the time of the collision, then purchased a policy and misstated the accident date
- She posted $25,000 bail and is awaiting a future court date
- Why it matters: Authorities warn drivers that post-crash insurance purchases can lead to felony charges carrying up to five years in prison or a $50,000 fine
The LA County District Attorney’s Office told News Of Losangeles exclusively Monday that Lozano’s case is the latest example of a growing scam on local roads.
What Investigators Found
According to the DA, Lozano was uninsured when her vehicle collided with another car in September. After the crash, she allegedly:
- Purchased an auto-insurance policy
- Falsely told the insurer the accident happened after the policy took effect
- Filed a claim seeking repairs or a total-loss payout
“Basically, anyone who drives in Los Angeles County without proper or adequate insurance, is involved in a traffic collision, and then buys the proper insurance after the accident and lies about when the accident happened, is guilty of insurance fraud,” the district attorney’s office said.
The office added that the goal of such schemes is “to either have the vehicle repaired without cost to the accused or to have the vehicle totaled out and cash changing hands.”
Charges and Potential Penalties
Lozano was arrested last Thursday and charged with insurance fraud. After posting $25,000 bail the same day, she was released pending her next court appearance. The DA has not yet set that date.
If convicted, she could face:
- Up to five years in state prison
- A fine of up to $50,000
- Restitution to the insurer
Key Takeaways
- Authorities say “crash and buy” fraud is a felony offense in California
- Drivers caught without coverage at the time of a collision cannot legally backdate a new policy
- Insurers and law-enforcement agencies share data to detect post-crash policy purchases
Marcus L. Bennett reported this story for News Of Losangeles.
