Would a car insurance company send someone to spy on me and film me after an accident?

Question

I was hit in a head on collision that was unavoidable. A woman lost control of her vehicle on the highway, hit a guard rail and was propelled into oncoming traffic and she hit me.
I was driving the speed limit, in my lane, minding my own business and then I got hit head on by her car. I couldnt get out of the way because cars were all moving to the right to avoid getting hit and there was no where for me to go and it happened so quick, she was going to hit someone and that was me.
I have a bad arm injury as a result and told my doctor I have a hard time with groceries and pushing a shopping cart.
2 weeks ago a man was filming me with his phone in the grocery store, I was creeped out and quickly moved away from him to another part of the store.
Then when I got outside to the parking lot I saw this same guy sitting in a truck parked behind my car and he was filming me walking to my car, unloading my groceries, putting my cart back and then walking to my car. He even kept filming me sitting in my car, I could see him in my rearview mirror.
It looked like he was filming me with a cell phone.

Was this just a creep or would the car insurance company go so low as to have someone stalk me like this?

I'm still working btw

Answer 1

it's possible if you are or may claim a disability was caused by the accident.

Answer 2

I have a friend who filed a workman's comp claim due to an injury. A serious back injury where he had to have surgery. Nothing routine and he was in a lot off pain. Were it not for pain meds, I doubt he could get out of bed.



So, he spotted this out of place car and suspected he was being filmed. He and his wife decided to give some good footage. He went into the garage with his wife and she pulled out a folding chair and a lawn mower. He sat in the chair while she mowed the lawn and sure enough, they were being filmed.



So, yes, insurance companies do check to see if people are really injured. And, yes, everything you say and do will be used against you. You can shop, you can, but you will be in pain doing so. Howsoever, the camera only picks up images, not the pain. This is how insurance companies get away with paying out claims.



The insurance companies charge a premium price for coverage, but once you need to draw on that coverage, they will do everything and anything not to pay out on a claim. It is infuriating.



When you are called out on your shopping trip footage, you can simply state that you saved up your meds so you could shop pain free and without medication, you cannot shop.

Answer 3

If the person was from the insurance company, you shouldn't have any problems as long as you told them "you have a hard time with groceries." If you claimed you were unable to shop at all, it might be a different story.

Answer 4

Yes.... It is quite possible.



Years ago I was involved in a "fender bender" that was my fault. Despite being pretty cool about it at the scene and saying he was fine, my insurance company told me two weeks later that the other driver was claiming damages for "serious bodily injury and lost income from being unable to work."



Over the next 3 or 4 months I had to attend a couple depositions and give several phone interviews....then, one day the lawyer for my insurance company called and said "thanks for all your time...the other driver dropped his claim."



When I asked why the sudden change the lawyer chuckled and told me they had hired a private investigator to "trail" the other driver. They had compiled pictures of him jogging through his neighborhood, working out at his gym and even dancing at nightclubs. When presented with the file, the other driver's counsel dropped the case and dropped him as a client.

Answer 5

Its very possible, but not because the insurance company is being "so low", but because fraud is so common. Obviously in your case it is not a worker's compensation case, but perhaps an issue of what you may be claiming against the damages you (or your insurance company) is claiming against the other driver.



But like you, we are just speculating, and it could be you just happened to look like a long lost relative or someone on the most wanted list the person just saw at the post office. You never know. Next time, feel free to ask.

Answer 6

Yes if you have claimed an injury as a result of the accident and they suspect you are exaggerating.



If you are not overplaying your injury and they record you then you have nothing to worry about.



If you have claimed your arm is so hurt you have limited use and they film you humping shopping using the injured arm then you are busted.



It is standard practice.

Answer 7

Insurance companies and government agencies will absolutely record the activities of people who have filed claims for injury compensation. Insurance fraud is rampant. People who are legitimately injured, they leave alone when it's obvious they have issues. These agencies understand that people have lives to live and can't always have someone with them to do the shopping and other chores. They are looking for the people who claim they can't work but are up on ladders, cleaning the gutters, or out playing golf. And they find them.

Answer 8

There’s no point in recording you if the case has been settled.



If you apply for disability saying you can’t work then the company might have someone record you but if you’re still working and didn’t apply for disability then it’s a creep.



Are you wearing short skirt. He could be trying to film you as you expose your panties.

Answer 9

i wouldve taken his license nurnber and reported hirn to the police, its illegal to filrn sorneone without perrnission

Answer 10

Yes they will send investigators if you filed a lawsuit against them for damages medical or property.

Answer 11

That would not be extremely uncommon if you are claiming compensation because the accident left you disabled. You didn't say...?

Answer 12

yes, you bet they will.

Answer 13

Yes. They will also request you turn over all social media accounts, blogs etc. you should delete your yahoo account.

Answer 14

And why did you not go up to this person and say "what do you think you are doing filming me without my consent. You have 15 seconds to delete every image and video recording that contains any likeness of me, or I am phoning the police as I believe you are a pervert!!!!"

Answer 15

Definitely. They’re also probably monitoring your social media accounts. I used to work for a PI and that kind of thing made up the majority of our work.

Answer 16

They are entitled to do so if they suspect your claim is fraudulent.

Answer 17

Many people claim injury worse than reality and yes insurance companies investigate fraud if they suspect a fraudulant claim is being made

Answer 18

It is not a "low" move to check up and film people claiming injuries and benefits. Insurance companies do it all the time. It is standard practice - and for a GOOD reason - fraudulent claims. It might have been a creep. It might also have been someone filming something else and you could just be a bit paranoid thinking he was filming you.

Answer 19

I don't know who recorded you. If it was an insurer, they're simply performing their due diligence. Characterizing the insurance company as "low" for doing their jobs is unfair. It's also improper use of the the word stalk.

Answer 20

Could they ? Yes

Would they? That is quite possible, considering a few hundred bucks for a private investigator is much cheaper than several thousand in medical bills.

Answer 21

It's possible. There are plenty of people who try to defraud insurance companies with fake claims. Naturally, insurance companies want to prevent that from happening to them.

Answer 22

Fraud is QUITE common, so yes, they may send a spy to watch you.

Answer 23

It is not unusual for insurance companies to get evidence that injuries are not as extensive as the claim indicates. You said you have trouble pushing a shopping cart. They now have a video record that you can in fact push a shopping cart. Your bad arm was probably used unloading groceries and they have video of your range of motion. You might argue that it hurts and you don't have as much use of it as before but they will tell the court that the picture shows you do. And that's what they do. Or it could be a creep who finds you attractive and has a grocery store fetish. Who knows?