Many people know that your online persona can affect job interviews and business relations, but did you know that your social media posts could also affect your insurance claims?
In a world where we often post our daily experiences online, it is important to understand that your insurance carrier will likely look into your online profiles to research you and your claim. Understanding the risks involved with your social media posts is an important step in being fully covered by your insurance policies.
How Can Social Media Affect My Insurance?
When filing an insurance claim, it is essential to be honest and open about the details surrounding the incident. For example, if you file a claim for a car accident that happened on Wednesday morning, but you posted photos of your damaged car on Tuesday night, you can be accused of insurance fraud.
There are also less obvious examples of how social media can affect your policies. For instance:
You had burglary in your home and filed a claim for all of the electronics that were stolen. If an insurance adjuster sees on Facebook that you are regularly renting your home as a vacation rental, your insurance carrier may decide that you were in breach of contract with your homeowner’s insurance and should have added rental property insurance coverage.
You were in a car accident and filed a medical claim for a back injury. If your insurance company questions the photographs you have posted to Instagram while walking your dog on the beach trail, they may deny your claim or insist on additional documentation from your doctor or physical therapist.
You fell down the stairs at your neighbor’s home and filed a claim for your broken leg. If his insurance company discovers that you have provided a play-by-play account on Twitter of the binge drinking at his party, it may affect your claim.
When you file an insurance claim, it is common for the insurance adjuster to use social media to access background information on your behaviors, habits, activities, and financial matters.
How Do I Protect Myself?
Be honest. We encourage our clients to be honest with us, so we can develop policies that cover their actual lifestyles and behaviors. We also urge our clients to be completely truthful when filing a claim with the insurance company.
Use proper privacy settings. Understanding social media and the privacy settings available on each channel is important. Additionally, it is important to update your settings regularly.
Be wary of invitations to connect from strangers. When you have recently filed a claim, be aware that insurance adjusters may request to connect with you in an effort to circumvent your privacy settings.
Discuss your concerns with your BenefitSource Insurance Professional. We are here to speak with you about your concerns and help you understand how your lifestyle can affect your policy. You can call us directly at (877) 215-5431 or email us for more information.
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