Car Insurance firms Use Facebook for Claims Investigations

In the hours when a automotive accident, filing a claim along with your automobile insurance underwriter is one in all the primary steps you ought to take. however automobile insurance trade insiders say a wise second step is giving social media accounts the examination to stop all or a part of that claim from being denied.

In the past 5 years, the utilization of social media has exploded inside the insurance trade, says Frank Darras, Associate in Nursing insurance lawyer in Ontario, California, World Health Organization represents plaintiffs in suits against insurance firms. as a result of social media websites offer a period of time examination of users' lifestyles, insurance firms, claims adjusters and attorneys have begun to watch and mine them as a valuable supply of claims-investigation proof. Insurers area unit reviewing info found on such social media sites as Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Foursquare, Google and and Pinterest, and applying it to automobile claims, says Chicago personal injury attorney Michael Helfand.

"This happens all the time," he says.

Facebook is employed in virtually each claim currently, particularly once there's Associate in Nursing injury. "Checking social media accounts has become one in all the primary things Associate in Nursing insurance underwriter or investigator can do after you file a claim," adds Darras. particularly once any injuries stem from the accident.

Claims Investigation by Social Media

Part of the new claims-investigation method is for Associate in Nursing investigator, agent or insurance underwriter to appear for the Facebook, Twitter or alternative social media account of someone claiming bodily injury stemming from Associate in Nursing accident, Helfand says. they are craving for proof that the person is filing a dishonorable claim, he says.

If the a part of your accident claim is for a back injury and you share post-accident photos of you playing, aquatics or enjoying ball with the children, your claim can be denied.

"Over the years, social media has killed a bunch of claims," says Helfand.

"Almost each insurance underwriter features a special investigation unit (SIU), and policyholders ought to work on the idea that SIUs can inspect questionable or dishonorable claims," says Michael Barry, vice chairman of media relations for the Insurance info Institute.

"Mining social media for clues is one in all the fastest-growing areas of insurance-fraud investigation," says James Quiggle of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud in an exceedingly report revealed in 2012.

While insurance adjusters or agents might not inspect the social media accounts of each one that files a claim, they're going to positively penetrate social media if they need any reason to suspect a dishonorable claim.

"It's merely a part of the due diligence in work a case, as a result of such a big amount of individuals area unit brazen or dumb enough to mention one issue to Associate in Nursing insurance investigator whereas at a similar time telling the globe one thing else," Helfand says. "It's commonplace for someone to inform the investigator and doctor what quantity their back hurts then post photos from their softball league.

"Facebook and alternative social media sites became a good tool for fighting claims as a result of the 'look at me' nature of social media causes individuals to shoot themselves within the foot," he says.

A adjustor also will stick on to the language you employ within the claim. If you report that you are unable to carry over twenty pounds, however an image on social media shows you doing otherwise, Darras says you'll expect the claim are denied.

The same goes for tweets and standing updates description your mood or condition associated with the accident. A stream of tweets concerning your force or noting that you are driving against doctors' orders as a result of you are below the influence of drugs can raise red flags on any auto-accident-related injury claim.

Switch Your Privacy Settings

Using Facebook or Twitter activity within the claims method is totally legal — as long because the info is a component of a "public" profile, Darras says.

"It is mostly understood that if the investigator or insurance underwriter must 'friend' or have a 3rd party 'friend' the applier on Facebook to get the knowledge, then it becomes unethical Associate in Nursingd an invasion of privacy. sadly, that does not essentially create it ill-gotten," Darras says

You will scale back your exposure by adjusting the privacy settings for Facebook accounts so solely individuals you choose as friends can browse your standing updates or read photos on your account. And check that privacy settings on Twitter area unit set to "Protect my Tweets" to limit World Health Organization will browse your timeline.

But beware: Your friends' social media accounts may conjointly complicate Associate in Nursing claim. a photograph or post on Facebook that is visible on a friend's public page may additionally  be noticed, and used, by a insurance company or adjustor, Darras says.

To be safe, Darras suggests removing the Facebook photos and tags or tweets of something criminatory. for example, delete a post during which your friends say that you are a terrible driver — albeit they are humourous. Helfand says Associate in Nursing insurance underwriter may use this proof against you throughout the claims-investigation method.

"The responsibility to be perpetually argus-eyed with Facebook profiles and Twitter streams is ultimately on shoppers," says Helfand.

Keep Quiet

Don't trust entirely on privacy settings to shield a claim. Helfand says the most effective recommendation is zipping your virtual lip.

"No matter however flustered, irritated you're, it's ne'er wise tweet or post on Facebook that you simply were concerned in Associate in Nursing accident," he says. "There's nothing to profit from doing that."

In fact, obtaining social concerning Associate in Nursing accident or insurance claim is presumably the worst issue you'll do.

"Doing this is often simply asking the insurance underwriter to use the knowledge against you, albeit what you same was harmless in your eyes," Darras says. "Remember that jokes and irony are not sent well on social media and also the insurance underwriter can use everything they'll."

Often insurance firms raise someone lacerate in an exceedingly automotive wreck to supply info concerning their activities for a two-week amount, says Darras. If any public Facebook activity does not match the log, the insurance underwriter will assume you are lying and treat the automobile claim as fraud.

Disputing the Social Scoop

If the web interferes along with your claim, all isn't lost. it's going to be attainable to dispute something Associate in Nursing investigator turns au courant your social profiles.

"One of the most important arguments shoppers will use against insurance firms is their failure to analyze the knowledge more and receive third-party support of the knowledge they found on social media," says Darras.

And because social media ought to be a start line, not the sole proof utilized in approving or denying a claim, you'll press the insurance underwriter to think about statements from alternative sources, like doctors or witnesses, or enable you to clarify the circumstances round the info found on your social networking profiles.

The Bottom Line

There is a time and place for social media, Associate in Nursingd it is not necessary to stop working your accounts when an accident. however it's vital to look at what you post and use caution concerning your participation in conversations, says Darras. And bear in mind, despite your privacy settings, social media is rarely extremely personal.