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Auto Insurance Claims/What private information am I to answer the insurance adjuster
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Question
My car caught fire while driving on the highway in the state Florida. The fire department and the police responded. They had the car towed to the nearest body shop. I contacted the insurance company and the adjuster called. I gave him all the information he requested. I have now received paperwork to fill out and complete. My question is there is one sheet that is asking me to sign for them to pull all my private information for the past 3 years:employment history, banking records, utility records, medical history, credit history, criminal back ground and mental health issues & etc. I can understand criminal check as to see if I have ever been involved with arson, but I feel the other information requested in an invasion of my privacy. Am I legally bound to sign the consent form?
The answer to your question lies in the language of the insurance policy that you purchased. As I don't have a copy of your policy, I cannot say.
Now, on the type of claim that you have, I doubt that they really have any desire to pull your medical records, delve into your mental health or utility records.
However, if they do not have every person sign the same form for every investigation, someone will sue them for discrimination.
The fact that you were driving the vehicle when it caught fire, had the PD and FD there and then had the car towed to a shop, there is not likely a suspicion of fraud. However again, it is a fairness issue. If they waive the forms and procedures for you, then the next person can have a cause of action for being asked to sign the same forms.
If you are uncomfortable with their having permission to look at things that have little to do with an auto fire investigation such as medical, old employment records, mental health, then just cross those items off of the agreement before sending it back. They will likely have no problem with that. In fire investigations, economic motive is sometimes explored which justifies the credit report, verification of a means of making a payment, etc. If the physical evidence of this fire doesn't point to suspicions of arson, then they will likely never pull any kind of info anyway.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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Answers by Expert:
webfoot
Expertise
Auto damage, liability, insurance fraud. I am a full time auto insurance adjuster with experience in collision, theft, liability and fraud investigation. I am also an ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Collision Platinum certified. My experience includes 15 years in the auto repair industry, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Law enforcement and auto insurance. ****** NO "PRIVATE" QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED. I HAVE FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL PRIVATE QUESTIONS COME FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERING OR ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT FELONY INSURANCE FRAUD AND I'M NOT HERE TO HELP YOU! ****** I AM HERE TO ANSWER AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR, CLAIMS PROCESS AND SOME SIMPLE LIABILITY QUESTIONS. I CANNOT ADDRESS COMPLEX LIABILITY SCENARIOS WITHOUT HAVING ALL OF THE INFO FROM BOTH SIDES IN FRONT OF ME. QUESTIONS ABOUT PREMIUMS OR HOW INSURANCE IS RATED SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO YOUR PERSONAL INSURANCE AGENT WHO KNOWS A WHOLE LOT MORE ABOUT YOUR HISTORY THAN I DO. I'VE NEVER SOLD INSURANCE AND DO NOT KNOW IF YOUR INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE RATES WILL GO UP IF YOU MAKE A CLAIM. THOUGH I'VE HANDLED SOME VERY MINOR SOFT TISSUE INJURY SETTLEMENTS, I PREFER NOT TO ANSWER INJURY RELATED QUESTIONS. I'M NO INJURY EXPERT AND I'LL LIKELY SAY SOMETHING TO HURT SOMEONE'S FEELINGS AS I BELIEVE THAT MANY SOFT TISSUE PAIN AND SUFFERING CLAIMS ARE OVER DRAMATIZED. UNLIKE MANY OTHERS, I AM ON THIS FORUM AS A VOLUNTEER WITH NO PRODUCTS OR SERVICES TO SELL AND PROMISE AN UPFRONT ANSWER BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IN BOTH SIDES OF THE INDUSTRY. IF YOU PROVIDE ME WITH A HONEST VERSION OF EVENTS, I PROMISE A CANDID AND HONEST ANSWER IN RETURN. I CANNOT ADDRESS ALL CLAIM SCENERIOS DUE TO DIFFERING STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS, BUT WILL DO MY BEST. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT AN HONEST ANSWER MAY BE ONE THAT YOU DON'T LIKE SO IF THAT IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM, PLEASE DON'T ASK THE QUESTION. LASTLY, I DO NOT ACCEPT RATINGS AS I DON'T DO THIS FOR RATINGS AND WISH TO SPEAK FREELY.
Experience
20 years in automotive industry, Currently in insurance claims, worked actively as technician and shop owner until about 10 years ago. Current ASE Master Auto Tech and I-Car Platinum Collision Certifications, B.S. Criminal Justice and 10 year auto insurance/extended warranty background
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