Suspected cases of insurance fraud, often by roofers and other contractors, after hail damage rose 136% from 2006 to 2009, according to a new report.

Questionable or suspicious property-casualty insurance claims, a byproduct of a bad economy, are on the rise, with about 13% more reported in the first half of this year than during the same period last year.

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner and a property-casualty insurance coalition say California lawmakers’ proposal to downgrade 73 felony crimes, including insurance fraud, to misdemeanors could “severely erode” the state’s efforts …  Read →