A Butler man is accused of falsifying an insurance claim to get coverage for a crash that occurred during a lapse in coverage.

Cory R. Geagan, 43, was charged Friday, Feb. 20, by the state attorney general with one felony count each of insurance fraud and criminal attempt following an investigation.

Police allege Geagan falsely filed an insurance claim with Progressive Insurance to pay for damage sustained to his 2014 Honda Pilot in a crash that occurred during a lapse in coverage.

Police said the lapse — from Jan. 24, 2025, to Feb. 16, 2025 — was due to nonpayment.

Geagan initiated a claim March 5, 2025, that his son struck a deer while driving the vehicle on Feb. 28. The crash damaged the vehicle’s passenger headlight, bumper and door panel. The vehicle would start but made a ticking sound, police said.

The insurance company estimated repairs to cost $2,749.55, police said.

Police later viewed metadata of the submitted crash photos that showed they were taken Feb. 14 during the lapse in coverage.

Geagan’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. March 20 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty.