Expert: Doctor Settlement - 6/19/2009

Question
Hi,

Do i need to provide the at-fault party's insurance company
with my social security no. while filing a bodily injury
claim?  What other information am i required to provide
while filing a bodily injury claim in a third party claim
process?

Thanks

Thanks

Answer
Hi Andy,

NO—DO NOT give your Social Security Number to the insurance adjuster for the tortfeasor.  She IS NOT ENTITLED TO IT.  She wants it to do background checks on you.  Once she gets it, she will use your number to do an extensive background check without your knowledge or permission.

FYI—and as a preventative measure, sometime take a look at what "they" have on record for you—or I should say what they will allow you to see about yourself.  Www.SettlementCentral.Com  made a bit of reference to the kinds of information that is available to the insurance industry http://www.settlementcentral.com/page0467.htm   personal data can be corrected using those links.

All that is needed on a medical release, should you elect to sign one, is your name and date of birth.  Simply line out the SSN request.  

What harm could it do to give the adjuster your social security number?

Your Social Security Number is absolutely private, and protected.  The insurance industry can purchase any number of products from data brokers, and with your SSN they will know how often you buy beer, and what brand, your gas purchases—and hence driving habits, and anything you used a credit card to purchase.  It unlocks education, past medicals, your criminal record, marital past, and everything else in your entire past. It is who you are.  Some of which could be damaging to you in the instant claim.

Since the insurance adjuster wants to minimize the value of your case, she will ask for your date of birth and social security number.  The insurance adjuster wants such so she can run you through a claims index and find out about any other wrecks, injuries or surgeries you had previous to the date of the motor vehicle collision at issue.  The insurance adjuster for the car that hit you wants you to sign a medical record release authorization so he or she can screen all your medical records in an effort to find a prior injury or a pre-existing condition in order to pay less towards your personal injury claim.

So respectfully decline.  If she asks for your reasons, tell her you do not have to give her any reason.  If she insists, have her write to Dr. Settlement via the contact us link at www.SettlementCentral.Com   I will not be at all bashful about telling her that I think this is an ABUSIVE TACTIC.

I trust that my extra time here has produced some information that has been of value to you, and thus I would respectfully request that you take the time to locate the FEEDBACK FORM on this site and leave some feedback for me.

Best Wishes,

Dr. Settlement, J.D. (Juris Doctor)
http://www.SettlementCentral.Com