Social media is an inescapable part of modern life. Everyone seems to be using it, and insurance companies are no exception. We often have a tendency to share personal information without a second thought, trusting that our privacy settings will be enough to protect us. But it’s easy to forget that these settings aren’t as “private” as we think. And insurance companies are using that to their advantage.
Insurance companies best resource? Your social media account
In an effort to crack down on fraudulent claims, insurance companies, adjusters and attorneys alike are scouring the Internet to find evidence that they can use to justify denying your claim. And with so many social media platforms – like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram and Foursquare, among many others – they’ve got a ton of resources at their fingertips.
Of course, insurance companies and their lawyers won’t usually bother unless there are red flags suggesting your claim isn’t quite on the level – parsing your entire social media history is a time- and labor-intensive job, after all. But if there is something amiss, there are certain items they’re looking for that might just give them the edge they need.
Protect yourself and your car accident claim
Filing a claim with your insurance company is one of the first things you should do after a car accident. But before you do, be sure to review your social media accounts and purge any posts or photos that may undercut your claim.
When you provide a statement to an insurance company, as far as they’re concerned, that statement is your version of the gospel truth. For example, if you’ve told them you’re unable to work and are suffering from injuries that prevent you from standing for long periods of time, photos of you partying with your friends or on vacation hiking will be exactly what the insurance company needs to torpedo your case.
And be careful about the stories you share. They’ll be reading everything, and if it appears you suffer from road rage or aren’t listening to doctor’s orders, you can bet they’ll use that against you.
Be sure to check your privacy settings too. It’s not a cure-all by any means, but cranking your privacy settings up to maximum levels will make it slightly more difficult for insurance companies to see all the details of your social media account. Also, don’t forget to check the photos and comments that have been shared with your friends. If those are marked public, they can be seen – and used – by anyone.
You can’t rely on privacy settings on social media to safeguard your data. You’ve got to protect yourself. So use social media responsibly. Read your privacy settings regularly, since they differ from platform to platform and are ever-changing. And if there’s any doubt in your mind whether or not it should be shared, don’t. Especially when it comes to your insurance claim.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and need an attorney with experience dealing with insurance companies, contact the Andriotis Law Firm. We’ve helped car accident victims in the Tampa Bay area and beyond recover the settlements they’ve deserved. And we want to do the same for you. Call us today.
