What does it mean when an insurance claim is under investigation?

Asked by: Shanna Feil  |  Last update: January 19, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (69 votes)

Insurance companies often conduct claims investigations to evaluate the legitimacy of a claim. The investigation process helps the claims adjuster make an educated decision about how to proceed with a claim. Insurance claims investigations are used to combat the prevalence of false or inflated claims.

What does it mean when an insurance company is investigating a claim?

Usually, insurance companies investigate claims to confirm the accuracy of the incident and related evidence. However, insurers should not take too long to process a claim, especially if it risks missing the statute of limitations for your claim.

How long do insurance claim investigations take?

Most insurance companies are typically given between 15 to 90 days to investigate a claim and accept or deny it, depending on the specific state regulations, the type of the claim, and the case's complexity. For instance: Straightforward property damage claims may be resolved more quickly.

What does investigate the claim mean?

(ɪnvestɪgeɪt ) verb B2. If someone, especially an official, investigates an event, situation, or claim, they try to find out what happened or what is the truth.

What is the first step in the insurance investigation process?

Once a claim has been reported, the adjuster will begin the second step in the claims process: investigation. The first step in this process completed by the adjuster is to determine whether coverage is applicable to a loss. The methodology they use depends on whether the claim is first-party or third-party in nature.

My claim is under investigation. What should I expect? | Insurance Claim HQ

41 related questions found

Can you cancel a claim under investigation?

Before any payments are made, you can cancel a car insurance claim under investigation. Different reasons can lead you to this.

What are the 5 steps of investigation process?

Five Phase Investigation Process
  • Phase I: Preparation and Planning. ...
  • Phase II: Information Gathering and Problem Identification. ...
  • Phase III: Verification and Analysis. ...
  • Phase IV: Disbursement of Disciplinary and Corrective Action. ...
  • Phase V: Prevention and Education. ...
  • Summary. ...
  • Confidentiality. ...
  • Attorney/Client Privilege.

What happens during an investigation?

Investigative tasks relate to identifying physical evidence, gathering information, evidence collection, evidence protection, witness interviewing, and suspect interviewing and interrogation.

What questions do insurance investigators ask?

What to Expect from Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident
  • Questions About the Involved Vehicles. ...
  • Questions About How the Car Accident Happened. ...
  • Questions About Shared Liability. ...
  • Questions About Vehicle Damages. ...
  • Questions About Your Injuries. ...
  • Insurance Tactics Used to Reduce Your Car Accident Insurance Payout.

Can an insurance company close a claim without my consent?

Yes, your insurer can close your claim without your consent.

Are insurance investigations discoverable?

Consequently, documents prepared in the ordinary course of an insurance company's investigation to determine whether to accept or reject coverage and to evaluate the extent of a claimant's loss are not privileged, and, therefore, discoverable.

How long do investigations last?

Most investigations take a few months - that is, generally speaking. If the evidence is particularly strong, police may be ready to make an arrest within days of the initial report coming in.

How do insurance companies evaluate claims?

Injury evaluation requires an analysis of factors such as medical bills, surgeries, treatments, medications, medical devices, live-in care, disability costs, the nature and extent of your injuries, physical pain, your medical history, your age, and your occupation.

How long does an insurance investigation last?

Generally, the insurance company has about 30 days to investigate your claim. Pro tip: Your state's statutes of limitations will also determine how much time you have to file and settle a claim. The statute of limitations for insurance claims varies by state, as well as by claim type.

Why do insurance companies hire investigators?

Insurance companies use private investigators as part of their efforts to verify the legitimacy of claims and prevent fraud. The frequency with which they employ PIs depends on various factors, including the size and complexity of the claim, the presence of red flags, and the nature of the injury or damage.

What is the first thing an insurer must investigate before taking on a claim?

Insurance companies must search for and consider evidence that supports coverage for the claim. Thus, insurance companies cannot close their eyes to evidence that supports coverage and focus solely on the evidence that denies coverage. Too narrow a focus of investigation?

What triggers an insurance investigation?

Inconsistencies and delayed claims can trigger alarm bells, leading the insurance company to closely scrutinize the legitimacy of your case. The duration of your recovery is not only critical for calculating the compensation but also for evaluating the credibility of your claim.

What not to say when talking to an insurance adjuster?

Some key phrases to avoid saying to an insurance adjuster include: “I'm sorry.” “It was all/partly my fault.” “I did not see the other person/driver.”

What does it mean when a claim is being investigated?

What is the primary purpose of a claim investigation? The primary purpose of a claim investigation is to evaluate the legitimacy of an insurance claim by gathering evidence, conducting interviews, and reviewing records to determine whether the claim is legitimate or fraudulent.

What comes after investigation?

When the investigation is finished, the investigator will conduct a thorough analysis of the facts, statements, and evidence gathered, which will be compiled in a file to produce a comprehensive report.

What clues are the investigators looking for?

Crime scene investigators collect evidence such as fingerprints, footprints, tire tracks, blood and other body fluids, hairs, fibers and fire debris. NIJ funds projects to improve: Identification of blood and other body fluids at the scene. Field detection of drugs and explosives.

What happens after an investigation meeting?

Once all disciplinary investigation meetings have come to an end, the employer must decide on one of two outcomes. Either they will either decide there's no claim to answer or continue the disciplinary process. If there's no claims to answer then the employer should send this in writing to the accused employee.

What are the three rules of investigation?

The Three Principles of Crime Scene Investigation
  • Principle 1: Locard's Exchange Principle (1928)
  • Principle 2: Sequential Examination.
  • Principle 3: Continuity and Disclosure Material.

How many steps are there in the accident investigation process?

OSHA believes that there are four main steps to follow in the incident investigation process. In this article, each step will be broken down in-depth so that one can achieve a successful incident investigation.

How much notice for an investigation meeting?

How much notice should I be given for an investigation meeting? There is no defined minimum period of notice, and the ACAS Code says it should be “reasonable”. In most cases, a few days will be considered reasonable, although you may be able to argue for a longer period if it necessary for you to prepare.