Surveillance Methods Used by Auto Insurance Companies to Limit Your Recovery

Watch Out For Insurance Companies Spying on You

Managing personal injury claims after a vehicle collision can involve more than medical reports and witness statements. Many car insurance companies use surveillance to scrutinize claimants. Along with invasion of privacy concerns, this can also leave the validity of a legitimate injury claim at risk. The knowledgeable car accident lawyer team at The Mottley Law Firm are your allies. Trust us to advocate for fair treatment against these intrusive tactics.

Why Car Insurance Companies Use Surveillance

The primary interest of car insurers isn’t your health and recovery. It’s their bottom line. The reality is that they use surveillance looking for a way to discredit—or even deny—your claim. You may feel the other driver was clearly at fault. And, you may think you’re completely justified in seeking the fair compensation you deserve.

Even so, from the carrier’s point of view, it may be less expensive to hire a private investigator than to pay out the full amount of your claim. The investigator can spy on you while your case is being resolved—and you may not even notice. So before speaking with any insurance company, consult our experienced Richmond car accident lawyers. The surveillance may feel like a breach of privacy, but it could be technically legal.

Person using camera from parked car for surveillance | Virginia car accident lawyer

Different Types of Surveillance

Private contractors hired by insurers may be keeping a close eye on you. These activities include both passive surveillance and more active investigation. Here are some methods they’ll use.

Staking Out Places You Commonly Go

Police officers do stakeouts to collect evidence about suspects. They may even hope to catch them in the act of doing something illegal. Insurance companies can do the same with claimants. Investigators may park an unmarked vehicle on your street to watch what you’re doing or follow you to places you frequent, such as the grocery store. Photos, videos, and audio recordings serve as evidence of their observations. Be mindful of unfamiliar cars parked by your home.

Tracking Your Physical Movements

Investigators are gathering evidence that might refute your car accident injury claim. They’ll note any inconsistent behaviors, like playing with children when you have broken bones or playing golf or tennis when you’ve reported back pain.

Monitoring Your Online Behavior

Your physical activities aren’t the only way they may try to discredit or deny your claim. Online engagement can be equally harmful. Electronic monitoring of your social media profiles may reveal posts and photos insurers against you. This is especially easy if you have public accounts on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. However, keep in mind that private accounts aren’t necessarily protected either.

Discussing your injuries on social media is risky. Even showing too much of your daily life after a car accident can be damaging. A post can be taken out of context, significantly reducing your rights to fair compensation. Insurance adjusters may make it seem like your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim.

Questioning People Close to You

Another active surveillance tactic is speaking with people close to you. Insurance investigators may try to talk with family, friends, and coworkers to determine the true nature of your injuries. They’re especially looking for inconsistencies in your story—and may use their suspicions to deny your claim.

Investigators may also contact people who witnessed the car accident. Again, they’re searching for information that counters your version of the events. These interviews may reveal reasons to blame you—fully or partially—for causing the collision and your injuries. For example, an eyewitness may claim you were on the phone or rolled through a stop sign.

Protect Your Legal Rights to Damage Recovery

Follow these steps to help validate your claim against the insurance company’s surveillance tactics.

Listen to Your Doctor

Even if you feel your injuries are minor, always see a doctor after a car accident. But simply seeing the doctor for an initial diagnosis isn’t enough. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders. If they say to avoid lifting heavy weights, don’t engage in construction projects. If they say you shouldn’t bend over, don’t work on your garden. They may recommend physiotherapy and other treatments. Go to all your appointments and prove you’re serious about healing your injuries.

In processing your claim, insurers may have access to your medical records related to the accident. If your activity counters any medical advice, they may have grounds to deny your claim.

Limit Social Media Activity

As posting on social platforms can undermine your claim, limit your online presence. Posting online is a common mistake to avoid after car accidents. Don’t give an adjuster any reason to use against you and your claim. These posts can be misinterpreted, misconstrued, or taken out of context.

Ask Friends and Family to Keep Quiet

Even if you don’t post about your injuries online, people around you might. Politely ask them not to talk about you or your activities. Also ask them not to tag you in photos, especially ones that may show you engaging in activities that could derail your personal injury claim.

Call a Richmond Car Insurance Lawyer

The single best action to protect your legal rights is to hire an experienced Richmond car insurance lawyer at The Mottley Law Firm. Our team will help you understand the legal complexities of personal injury cases, including what aspects of insurance company surveillance may be allowed and, more importantly, which are an invasion of your rights. For example, an investigator may be able to watch you outside your home, but they cannot step on your property. When insurers know you’ve retained the legal services of an attorney, they’re less likely to overstep their bounds.

In your free consultation, we can explain what steps we'll take to protect your rights to the fullest while securing the compensation you deserve.