Elected!

But isn't making a false claim insurance fraud? I think so. He got away with everything.

Making a false claim is certainly insurance fraud and if he did it, he committed fraud. (and at $17m an amazing level)

However if you submit a real claim, and the insurer cuts you a check, you are generally free to use those funds as you see fit.

Now in many cases, you might have a lien holder, and that lien holder's name will commonly be on the check - in which case the lien holder will sometimes not endorse unless you re-invest. But that's a civil contractual issue and the parties can agree with whatever they choose to agree with, and if not take it to civil court to work out.

For a real world example - if you own a car free and clear, and it gets wrecked/totaled the insurer will cut you a check. You are then free to buy a new car, fix the old one, or blow it a casino if you prefer.

with full knowledge that your losses are nowhere near that amount?

However, Insurers generally take their own counsel as to what the damages are. At $17 million, I can't imagine they just cut a blind check. That amount would likely require endorsement at the C-level.

Heck I totaled a boat trailer last year, the damage was $4,000. Geico didn't take my word for it, they used their own adjusters to estimate the damage. I suspect that if the damage was $17,000,000.00 they would probably have their own adjuster put eyeballs on it before hitting print on the check printer.

never. Not in my experience anyway. Trump had to have bribed someone.

When I use geico's web interface for roadside assistance help, I get a message saying file not a false claim is a fellony. I had an insurance investigator at my house after my car was totaled, and that was over a claim of around $7k.

I also had my roof blown off in one of those same hurricane Trump filed a claim on, and Liberty Mutual refused to cover it claiming the damage was less than my deductible, which was pure bullshit. So how did he get that money for no damage?

they will make their own estimate regarding the damage. If they approved $17M, he can do whatever he wants with that money. Only entity that could say otherwise would be a lender with a lien on the property.