The California Department of Insurance has developed this form for members of the general public and licensed California agents and brokers to report cases of suspected insurance fraud. If you are employed in the insurance industry and reporting for a company that is licensed and admitted to transact insurance business in the State of California, you must use the eFD-1 system to submit your report. As noted in California Insurance Code sections 1872.51 and 1879.5, no person shall be subject to civil liability for filing a good faith report of suspected insurance fraud to the Department of Insurance.

Please note: if you are a licensed agent or broker, as defined by 1625, 1625.5, 1625.55, 1626 or 1758.1, you may not submit this form anonymously. Additionally, if you are reporting red flags on a policy that has already been placed with an insurer, you must notify that insurer’s SIU of the presence of the red flags pursuant to California Insurance Code 1872.41.

California Penal Code sec. 148.5 imposes criminal penalties for anyone who reports to a peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 of the Penal Code (commencing with Section 830), that a felony or misdemeanor has been committed, knowing the report to be false. The Deputy Commissioner, Enforcement Branch, and the Fraud Division Chief of the Department of Insurance and those detectives designated by the deputy or chief are considered peace officers under Chapter 4.5 of the Penal Code. Submission of this information by any person, authorized or unauthorized, constitutes legal acknowledgment and consent to these terms.