Criminal charges in alleged fraudulent arson claim: Aviva Canada

Aviva Canada reports that one of its policyholders in Quebec is scheduled to appear in court today on criminal charges that allege he set fire to his house with the intent to defraud.

Following an investigation by the Sûreté du Québec, Daniel Vallières was charged in mid-December with arson – disregard for human life, arson – own property, and arson for fraudulent purpose, states a press release this week from Aviva Canada, which provides home, auto and business insurance to more than three million customers.

Aviva notes that Vallières is set to appear in a Trois-Rivières court Feb. 20.

Aviva Canada reports that Vallières claimed that on the night of January 23, 2014, two unknown suspects set fire to his house in Bécancour, Quebec. Discovering the blaze, he alerted his wife and children, who fled to safety. There were no injuries.

Fire causal experts concluded the fire, which completely destroyed the house, was the result of arson. Aviva Canada investigates all property claims where the cause of the loss has been determined to be arson.

Vallières later made a claim for the loss of his home. Collaboration and exchange of information during the investigations by Aviva Canada and the Sûreté du Québec ended with the police deciding to lay criminal charges.