A driver who filed a car insurance claim for a broken window has been charged with fraud after investigators found he had caused the damage himself.

Reports quoting investigators said Mark Davis, of Schenectady, New York, had filed a claim with the State Farm Insurance Company in May that someone had smashed the rear window of his 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse.

He was said to have submitted an affidavit, including repair estimate, to the firm claiming the car was vandalised.

But when the car was inspected the window was found intact. He was then contacted by the insurance company and informed of the discovery.

He, however, insisted his claim was right and asked that it should be inspected again. It was then found that the window had been smashed.

Eyewitnesses confirmed to investigators that Davis had vandalized the car before the second visit.

The man was charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records and was released on bail.