18 Aug
2008
Insurance Private Investigators – What do They Do?
Big money is often involved whenever insurance policies are claimed, and that’s why insurance companies often hire private investigators to determine whether the claimant is indeed asking for the right amount and for the right reason.
It All Starts with a Claim
Insurance private investigators are usually on call for insurance companies, but their services are only requested when a questionable claim has been submitted. It is important for insurance private investigators to know how the insurance claiming process works because it lets them know which areas have been thoroughly investigated and which aspects could have been overlooked.
Insurance claims are first forwarded to insurance adjusters. These people are tasked to conduct the necessary interviews, obtain photographic evidence of the basis of the claim and whatever else that’s involved, and consult with professionals if they deem it essential.
If the insurance adjuster is satisfied with the data he has gathered, he will then compile a report together with a suggested amount for the company to pay to the claimant. But if he’s not satisfied with his results then the case is forwarded to an insurance examiner. If, however, the insurance adjuster believes that there’s foul play involved, he will usually go directly to an insurance private investigator and have the latter continue with the case.
When Insurance Private Investigators Are Necessary
There are various reasons why an insurance company believes in the need for hiring a private investigator, but most of them boil down to suspected foul play.
In suspicious fire incidents, insurance private investigators may be called in to determine if the accident is actually a case of arson. Investigators may also be asked to gather data and verify whether claims for disability are indeed genuine. Some accidents may appear contrived or staged to an insurance company, and this would again make it necessary for them to call in investigators. Some claimants, on the other hand, deliberately overcharge and investigators will then be hired to determine the actual amount the company owes to the claimant.
An insurance private investigator does not work normal office hours. His time may also be equally divided between paperwork and field assignments if he has to go through a copious amount of documents and interview a good number of people to verify every action taken by the claimant. Insurance private investigators may also have to confront the suspected individuals themselves from time to time and this could be a dangerous situation in certain cases.
The job of an insurance private investigator is not easy but it’s rewarding, personally and financially speaking. If you believe you can handle the challenges of discovering the truth without breaking any rules yourself then it may just be the job for you.
image credits to annalibera
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