Rep. Troy E. Nehls Co-Leads the Bipartisan Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 with Reps. Laura Gillen, Josh Gottheimer, and Vince Fong

September 3, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22), alongside U.S. Representatives Laura Gillen (D-NY-04), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), and Vince Fong (R-CA-20) , introduced the bipartisan Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 to make motor vehicle collision fraud a federal crime, improve safety for drivers, and lower car insurance rates nationwide. The Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 targets insurance fraud schemes in which bad actors deliberately cause, stage, or fabricate motor vehicle accidents to file false claims and defraud insurance companies for large cash payouts. “Bad actors across the country are deliberately causing, staging and fabricating car wrecks and filing phony insurance claims, and it’s the hardworking American families who end up paying the price with high insurance rates,” said Congressman Nehls. “It’s time we put an end to this, make it a federal crime, and hold these fraudsters accountable. I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026 with Congresswoman Gillen to crack down on these scams, put the fines collected into the Highway Trust Fund, which provides the resources to improve our roads, and make our roads safer.” “Long Islanders pay some of the highest car insurance rates in the country and ‘crash for cash’ schemes on our roads are driving rates even higher,” said Congresswoman Gillen. “When fraudsters stage car wrecks to scam their way to huge payouts, they’re putting lives at risk and forcing responsible drivers to bear the costs. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to hold these criminals accountable, make our roads safer and lower sky-high car insurance costs.” "Insurance fraudsters send premiums skyrocketing and drive up the cost of living for Jersey families,” said Congressman Gottheimer. "The fraud rings behind them don't stop at state lines. That's why I'm proud to work with Reps. Gillen, Nehls, and Fong on this bipartisan bill to make staging or fabricating a crash a federal crime, with fines going straight back into fixing our roads and bridges. We're cracking down on the hucksters and fighting to bring down costs for Jersey families." "Californians already pay some of the highest car insurance premiums in the nation on top of having one of the highest costs of living,” said Congressman Fong. "Insurance fraud is making it worse. Staged car accidents are a deliberate, organized scam that puts innocent people at risk and drives up premiums for every driver on the road. In the Central Valley, where families depend on their vehicles to get to work, take their kids to school, and run their businesses, these are real costs hitting real people. The Stop Auto Fraud Act makes these schemes a federal crime and gives law enforcement the tools to dismantle the criminal networks behind them." The legislation is supported by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), American Bus Association (ABA), American Trucking Associations (ATA), Trucking Association of New York, Texas Trucking Association (TANY), Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA), Southwest Movers Association (SMA), Texas Trucking Association (TXTA), National Tank Truck Carriers Association (NTTC), and Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). “Staged vehicle accidents are not harmless property crimes,” said Kyle McCollum, Vice President, National Insurance Crime Bureau. "These are violent offenses that put innocent drivers and pedestrians at risk of injury or worse—all so that fraudsters and their facilitators can cash in. As NICB data and frontline investigations demonstrate, staged accident fraud is on the rise, costly—up to $300 a year in increased premiums—and increasingly organized. And it demands an organized, effective response. NICB applauds Representative Gillen’s Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026, a bipartisan measure making clear that staged accidents are serious crimes deserving serious consequences." “Auto claims fraud, including intentional crashes, staged accidents, fabricated medical bills, and AI-altered photo evidence, drives up costs throughout the system and ultimately raises auto insurance premiums for everyone,” said Sam Whitfield, Senior Vice President of Federal Government Relations and Political Engagement, American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). “States that have enacted targeted anti-fraud and staged accident reforms have strengthened enforcement, disrupted organized fraud rings, and helped stabilize auto insurance markets, with some states even experiencing premium reductions. We applaud Representatives Gillen, Nehls, Gottheimer, and Fong for introducing the Stop Auto Fraud Act of 2026, which would establish federal criminal penalties for deliberate staged and phantom auto accidents. By giving law enforcement additional tools to combat organized crime fraud, this legislation addresses a significant driver of rising auto insurance claim costs and helps protect consumers from unnecessary premium increases.” “Staged crashes and claims connected to them are a particularly malicious form of insurance fraud,” said Jimi Grande, SVP of Federal and Political Affairs for NAMIC. "Not only do these fraudsters endanger innocent drivers and communities all across the country, they also cause extensive financial harm. NAMIC applauds Representatives Gillen and Nehls, along with their co-sponsors, for their work to combat scammers and protect all honest road users.” “ The Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA) proudly supports the Stop Auto Fraud Act and appreciates the leadership from Congresswoman Gillen and Congressman Nehls. Staged accidents continue to cause havoc with insurance premiums. This legislation will help deter bad actors from attempting to put trucking companies out of business by fabricating accidents, then running crooked legal and medical companies who attempt to profit from this blatant criminal activity.” Read the bill text HERE . Issues : Criminal Justice Reform Judiciary Law Enforcement And Crime Updates