Delaware Business Insurance Update from CNC Insurance Associates “Social Media Catching Insurance Fraudsters”. 7-15-18

Social media is having a big impact on the prevention of insurance fraud. Here is one example. A worker at a large lumber company claimed he hurt his back while loading lumber on a flat bed truck. The insurance company accepted his work comp claim and began paying for his time away from work and his medical bills. However the claim adjuster was looking at the social media posts of the injured worker and saw that he was participating in weekend martial arts tournaments. The insurance company immediately denied further coverage and opened up an insurance fraud investigation.
This is just one story of how social media is playing a role in insurance claims. As people post the story of their lives online, insurance company adjusters can use this information when adjusting claims.  However this opens up a lot of questions regarding privacy. Some states are looking into possible laws to prevent insurance companies from using social media for claim adjustments but until then it is fair game.  With the insurance industry spending close to 5 billion a year on fraudulent work comp claims, using social media to gain information when they suspect fraud is not going away any time soon.
Until next time be careful out there and know your risks.

G. Kevin Nemith CEO CNC Insurance Associates/Hilb Group
www.cncinsurance.com
1-877-262-3276

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