ABSTRACT

The insurance industry has an ongoing need for the services of private security professionals, particularly private investigators. Insurance fraud can occur at various levels of the insurance contract and policy applications. Investigative practice in the insurance industry generally involves four basic types of insurance: life, fire, marine, and casualty. Insurance companies are primarily concerned with clear and accurate factual representations, which in turn permit their legal counsel to make judgments, develop tactical strategies, or formulate settlement positions. The investigator need not fear personal confrontation or discussion with the claimant unless the insurance company has a strong certainty of subterfuge and fraud. Some insurance companies have adopted hardball strategies in contesting the claims and losses filed by lawyers; others make a reasonable effort to resolve. Insurance companies realize profits based on their capacity to analyze and reconstruct accident cases.