Arson on the rise for insurance auto claims

In a bid to collect insurance, auto owners in some cases are said to be torching their cars.

A recent report on CBS details the growing trend of insurance fraud in the form of automobile arson. The problem is said to be especially pronounced around the Las Vegas area, in part because it has plenty of empty desert land to hide burned out cars in.

The television network noted that Las Vegas police even patrol the area daily by helicopter now because of the problem, which netted them ten charred cars in a single weekend.

However, the report also noted that along with Nevada, insurance-related arsons are up considerably in states ranging from New York to Pennsylvania to Arkansas. A total of 11 states were cited as having seen increases in the crime.

The network adds that California saw 452 suspected car arsons last year, up from 258 in 2005, while 130 residents of New York State were arrested last year for allegedly setting their cars on fire to collect the insurance.

Despite the temptation of some to cash in on their insurance, auto arson is both a serious and dangerous crime.

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