Private Detective Auto Insurance Fraud

Private Detective Auto Insurance Fraud

A private investigator to prove auto insurance fraud
Insurance companies frequently call on investigators, such as a private detective in Arras, in the event of a suspicion of insurance fraud, to obtain additional information on the circumstances of a claim or to find the beneficiaries of a claim. unclaimed life insurance, that is to say in escheat.

What are the circumstances that lead an insurer to hire a private investigator?
Personal insurance fraud, a mass scourge for insurance companies
Missions and obligations of an investigator who works for an insurer
The circumstances which require the use of an investigator

In the event of an accident involving a car, for example, insurance companies generally appoint an expert who will make the first observations. In the event of incomplete information on the circumstances of the accident, or suspicion of auto insurance fraud, the insurer may use the services of a private investigator to collect the information it needs or to prove the scam.

This information will allow the insurer to take the necessary measures: termination of the insurance contract, legal proceedings according to the sums involved, etc.


 
By using an investigator, the insurer seeks to protect its insurance firm but also its underwriters who would see their insurance premiums increased in the event of repeated and unidentified thefts.

Indeed, many policyholders do not hesitate to make false declarations of automobile theft, arson or road accidents caused by an animal in order to be reimbursed for damage to their vehicles caused by the policyholders themselves. .


 
Since the law of January 1, 2016, insurance companies are also obliged to find heirs to life insurance who have not come forward. For this, they also need to call in private detectives who will investigate to find the people named as beneficiaries of the insurance contract. In the meantime, the funds owed from this dormant life insurance are stored at the Caisse des Dépôts et des Consignations for 30 years. After this time, they become the property of the state.

Personal insurance fraud in automobile insurance

Of all the insurance frauds, the personal injury scam represents a huge financial stake for insurance companies. In this specific context, policyholders do not hesitate to play the false victims or to exaggerate the bodily injury in order to collect greater indemnities from insurance companies.

To fight against this growing scourge, insurers are increasingly calling on investigators who will seek to verify whether the insured's declaration is admissible or whether, conversely, there is deception. This investigation is all the more difficult to carry out since it must be carried out by the detective in accordance with the rules of respect for the privacy of suspected persons, subject to which the evidence collected (writings, photographs, recordings, etc.) cannot be admissible in legal proceedings.


 
Calling on a private detective is the guarantee to conduct an investigation in accordance with the rules imposed by law.

What are the missions and obligations of investigators?

When entrusted with research work, the investigator must gather all the elements that will confirm or refute the suspicion of fraud for which he was recruited. To do this, he can:

Follow-up on people who are suspected of fraud
Study various documents that he may have in his possession (contracts, press articles relating to an accident, etc.)
Browse different databases, in France and abroad
Interrogate the environment of the suspected person (neighborhood, family or even their employer)
Take photos outside in accordance with the legal framework
Once these elements have been compiled, examined and verified, the private detective draws up a detailed report gathering all the evidence (description of the facts observed, linking of the evidence, etc.). This report is then sent to the client insurance company and to the fraud attorney for legal action.

Given the nature of his work, the private investigator may have in his possession sensitive and confidential data. This is why it is subject to professional secrecy, regardless of the type of assignment entrusted.


 
The investigator is very often checked by the National Council for Private Security Activities in order to prove that, through his work, he is doing everything to properly conduct his investigation. Indeed, private detectives have an obligation of means but not of results, so they do not have