Investigator Jobs
When looking for an investigator job it is very important to examine the type of investigator job you are seeking. Investigator jobs have such specialties as:
- criminal investigator jobs
- insurance investigator jobs
- background investigator jobs
- fraud investigator jobs
- crime scene investigator jobs
- forensic investigator jobs
- bank investigator jobs
No formal education is required for most private detective and investigator jobs, although many private detectives have a college degree. Private detectives and investigators usually have previous experience. Some work initially for insurance or collection companies, in private security, or as paralegal's. Many investigators enter the field after serving in law enforcement, the military, government auditing and investigative positions.
Insurance Investigator Jobs
According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, an estimated $80 billion is paid out annually in fraudulent insurance claims. This affects every American, as these false insurance claims cost the average household more than $950 each year in higher premiums. Plus, false insurance claims can mean that you are held liable in a staged accident and increase your risk of being sued. The high instance of insurance fraud has meant that insurance companies are far more cautious when paying claims, which may mean that you need professional help to make your claim.
In general terms, an insurance investigator tries to determine whether someone has filed a false insurance claim. There are many types of insurance investigations:
Health insurance fraud: Health insurance fraud investigations try to determine whether someone is getting paid for health care that they are not receiving or is filing health care claims and requests that are not valid or needed.
Car insurance fraud: Some criminals stage accidents, in which they purposely collide with another car and then try to accuse the other driver of an accident in order to file claims. Some criminals attempt vehicle theft fraud, trying to get money for a car which was not, in fact, stolen. Insurance fraud investigators uncover these schemes.
Home insurance fraud: In this type of insurance investigation, investigators discover disaster fraud, which includes false claims of damage. They also investigate property fraud to find evidence against those who make false claims about property damage.
Life insurance fraud: Investigators work to uncover cases of people who claim life insurance while still alive or those who claim too much in life insurance.
Workers compensation fraud investigation. Insurance investigators work to find evidence of workers who claim compensation when not as injured as they claim.
Insurance company investigation. Investigators also work to uncover evidence of bad business practices at insurance companies. If an insurance company takes your money but does not compensate you as promised, a professional investigator can help you make your case in court.
When people seek to make fraudulent insurance claims, they also often attempt to make claims from the estate of someone else they've implicated in the accident. For example, if someone sideswipes your car and then claims you're at fault for the accident, not only will your premiums increase, but the criminal may actually target you to get additional money. A fraud insurance investigation by a professional investigator can uncover the scheme and can save the hassle and costs of a court case.