The vast majority of Americans have a social media account. We all know that person who shares everything–what happened on vacation, the fact that they got a haircut, or what they ate for breakfast. It can be important to be mindful of social media from an insurance perspective.
Why? Insurers have started perusing insureds’ social media accounts to get information. Read on for more.
The Problem of Fraud
Can One Bad Apple Spoil the Bunch? Fraud costs roughly $80 billion per year across all types of insurance, according to Coalition Against Insurance Fraud estimates. As an unfortunate result, the insurance company may be quick to be on high alert even though there is no legitimate basis to do so. Thus, a large part of what insurance companies do is attempt to determine whether a claim is fraudulent or genuine.
When assessing your claim, insurance adjusters will look at your submitted documents, take stock of the damage in person, and interview you. Insurance adjusters are responsible for gathering information in this way but also from other sources. One of the easiest ways to get information may be on your social media pages.
Why Are Social Media Pages Attractive to Insurers?
Social media can tell people a lot about you: your habits, your location, your activities, and much more. They can tell insurers much more than the person may be willing to reveal on their own. This can help attract prospective insureds by tailoring a policy that will fit the insured’s lifestyle, especially if that comes with cost savings. What if they use the information they have gathered to deny your claim?
Tips for Mindful Usage of Social Media
It is tempting to share information online, especially if you are frustrated or upset. Do not do this. Instead, imagine if what you are wanting to post was cited as evidence in your claim. Even if you are being entirely truthful, an innocuous statement could be used against you to dispute a damage claim. If you are in a contentious insurance claims process, think before you go to the court of public opinion. Consider hiring an insurance company to help fight for what is owed to you under the insurance policy.
Speak to a Homeowners’ Insurance Attorney
Contact our office today at 321-415-9012 to speak with one of our homeowners’ insurance attorneys if you would like to discuss the particulars of your situation. We present the material contained on our website and pages, including this Blog, for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute the rendering of legal advice and does not create any attorney-client relationship. If you need legal or other professional advice, you should consult with legal counsel about your particular facts and circumstances. Contact us to see how we may be able to fight for you!