Kennewick couple accused of fraud

A Kennewick couple are accused of insurance fraud after filing a claim the day after they bought an insurance policy.

Colby Getchell, 34, and Jessica Getchell, 33, are charged in Benton County Superior Court with first-degree attempted theft, according to the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.

The couple bought a travel trailer on Sept. 11, 2016, and 13 days later they bought a Progressive insurance policy, according to the office’s Criminal Investigations Unit.

Then they took the trailer to a dealer to get an estimate on roof damage from a fallen tree limb and filed a $12,000 claim the next day, investigators said. Progressive denied the claim and called the insurance commissioner’s office.

The Getchells are scheduled to appear at a joint court hearing April 19.

Insurance fraud costs the average family $400 to $700 a year in increased premiums, according to the commissioner’s office.

This story was originally published March 27, 2018 at 11:47 AM with the headline "Kennewick couple accused of fraud."