One of the most common reasons private investigators are hired is to assist with insurance cases, specifically whether a fraudulent insurance claim has been filed. Today, we at Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami, FL would like to explore how hiring private investigators is extremely useful with insurances cases.
What are the Different Types of Insurance Frauds Investigations?
There are many different types of claims private investigators may look into. Private investigators will investigate healthcare, slip and fall, product liability, workers’ compensation, personal injury, disability insurance, as well as other types of fraud investigations.
Examples of Insurance Frauds
Homeowner Insurance Fraud – Taking property out of the home and reporting it as stolen is a common way that homeowner’s insurance fraud is committed. A private investigator can conduct surveillance to watch where the homeowner goes, such as a pawn shop to pawn the items in question or to a discreet storage location for example. The claimant may actually commit arson in an attempt to get insurance money in other homeowner or automotive insurance cases.
Worker’s Comp Fraud – A worker may fake or exaggerate an injury in a workers’ compensation case. In addition, a worker may get hurt off the jobsite but lie and say it happened at work to try and make their employer be responsible for injury compensation. Fake injuries are common amongst personal injury claimants. Surveillance can be helpful in gathering vital information in many of these cases.
How Do Private Investigators Investigate an Insurance Claim?
1) Analysis & Research. A private investigator will conduct research into an insurance claim. Examples include reviewing statements and other documentation related to the case such as any photographs of the injury or accident, receipts for property purchases and repair bills as well as cross-referencing police report statements.
2) Surveillance. Surveillance is often conducted on employees who have filed injury claims and may expose fraudulent claims. For example, surveillance may find someone who has claimed to have been seriously injured actively engaging in activities that would not be possible due to their claimed injuries. Claims may be complicated and involve several different parties such as a doctor who colludes with accident victims to support fraudulent claims. By recording a person walking normally until they reach a doctor’s office and then begin limping, surveillance can also help expose fraud. In addition, private investigators can bring to light claimants purchasing expensive luxury items, vacations and commodities that are contrary to their regular income which may indicate some type of illegal receipt of monies.
3) Background Checks. Conducting a background check on the claimant is another helpful way that private investigators can assist in an investigation case. Whether the claimant has been convicted of crimes such as fraud, or has a history of filing claims, can be identified during a background check. If the claimant is going through a divorce, has fallen behind on bills, has their home in foreclosure or other factors that may influence them to try to commit insurance fraud may also be revealed during a background check.
4) Document Review. A careful and comprehensive scrutiny of insurance documents is another way that private investigators can help in insurance fraud investigations. A claimant may submit falsified documents from a purported doctor’s office or repair shop, for example. These documents may be forged on occasion.
Private Investigator & Security Services in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach & Miami Gardens Florida
Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami, FL specialize in insurance fraud investigations. Call us today to learn more.
