Insurance Forensics

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
11/20/2019 at 01:01 • Filed to: None

As some of you know, I like to share the more interesting aspects of my job. Adjusting isn’t just about homeowners claims and auto. I like to position myself as more of a “bespoke” adjuster handling more interesting files.

I hope that people find this interesting and that it changes perceptions of what adjusting can look like.

Forgive my possibly overzealous redacting, but better safe than sorry.

A big part of my job is investigative in nature. Like a criminal investigation, my role is to investigate, document and prepare for court. Unlike a criminal investigation, we’re typically on the defense side and the burden of proof in a Civil Court is on a “balance of probability” rather than “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

A lot of what I do involves forensics. Fire investigations, product liability investigations or other specialized matters.

Today I was at a laboratory participating in examination of some evidence in an ongoing claim. The analysis involves metallurgical testing, microscopic investigation and the creation of silicon replicas of certain key pieces of evidence.

Laser scanners are used to acquire highly detailed images of evidence and specialized software to analyze, measure and classify certain pieces of evidence.

Other investigations that I have been involved with involve DNA or material testing of foreign objects, electron microscope examination of minute cracks in glass in a heating element.

It is interesting as the things we typically examine are quite mundane. Perhaps a thermostat, length of cable, chicken nuggets.... But when we’re talking thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars of potential loss, things get quite detailed.

DISCUSSION (27)

Longtime Lurker > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 01:32

Neat

MrDakka > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 01:40

How can I commit insurance fraud using chicken nuggets? I need that Mickey D money.

just-a-scratch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 01:40

This makes me wonder what FM Global would do if something went wrong with the methane or propane systems at work.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > just-a-scratch
11/20/2019 at 01:41

FM is a very cool insurance company. They go wayyyyy in depth

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > MrDakka
11/20/2019 at 01:42

Its not fraud, but if bone or something foreign is found in food, we at times need to find out the source of the material

MrDakka > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 01:47

That seems mundane. I was hoping you had some elaborate chicken nugget related insurance fraud/heist story.

just-a-scratch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 01:47

If you insure lots of facilities valued over 9 figures, I guess you’re going to want some deep details now and again.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > MrDakka
11/20/2019 at 01:48

Fraud, in my experience, is rare. Outright fraud at least. Exaggerating is very common

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > just-a-scratch
11/20/2019 at 01:53

I have known a few of their Canadian claims higher ups, it's a great company

Jewish Stig > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 05:27

A very important question..

H ow many times a day do you say “Enhance It !”, and zoom in on a blurry photo?

Dakotahound > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 08:45

That looks like pretty interesting work. How does one get into that field? What sort of degree/experience is required?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Dakotahound
11/20/2019 at 08:57

Some universities offer insurance courses, other people “fall into it”. Most people in insurance have backgrounds from other careers. Microbiology, police work, fire fighters, construction.

Insurance is essentially a very real world, tangible businesses. Knowledge of things outside of insurance is often more valuable than insurance knowledge.

How to get into it? You have to put in your time doing boring auto/property stuff. But if you keep trying to handle interesting stuff, you’ll get there.

Thisismydisplayname > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 09:18

Chicken nuggets? Sounds like there’s a story there?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Thisismydisplayname
11/20/2019 at 09:54

I have too many nugget stories

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:37

I would like to hear all of the nugget stories.

For Sweden > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:39

Do you want to stick in insurance, or move towards a focused accident investigation/reconstruction job ?

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:43

Pretty cool. This shares a lot with the thought processes that go into physical diagnosis. Look for clues and know what they are trying to tell you.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:44

So I’m guessing the report is more detailed than “it done blowed up real good” you get in the pits of a Lemons race.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > For Sweden
11/20/2019 at 14:45

Insurance. I get to be a jack of all trades. I handle so many losses and go so many places, it keeps it interesting.

For Sweden > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:46

If you change your mind, there’s some good work at forensic engineering firms.

VincentMalamute-Kim > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:46

I hope that people find this interesting and that it changes perceptions of what adjusting can look like.

Yes we do and yes it does.

What would be even more interesting would be reading about the individual stories behind the photos. Like what is that piece of equipment sitting on the pallet and why are you guys investigating? Identifying details redacted or genericised/anonymized of course.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > VincentMalamute-Kim
11/20/2019 at 14:49

It’s a portion of a crane. The cable snapped causing injury.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > For Sweden
11/20/2019 at 14:50

Yeah, it isn’t my background though. I don’t have an education in that.

dogisbadob > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:51

cool stuff

For Sweden > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 14:51

Walk around an accident investigation conference, and you’ll learn education is worthless compared to experience.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > For Sweden
11/20/2019 at 15:02

true. I’m quite young for what I handle (27) but would consider it in the future. I have a Risk Management education and have considered doing that at some point.

Pixel > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
11/20/2019 at 15:32

Wow. That is like a next-level version of what i do in the automotive/truck insurance industry. We only audit documentation provided by our client and/or the other insurance company.

It is amazing how much you can catch by just paying attention. ...and also knowing the Bentley Rule[1].

[1 ] As a Bentley approaches 10 years old, the odds the owner will try getting an unrelated pre-existing problem covered under their accident claim approaches 100%.