In today’s digitally connected world, almost everyone leaves behind a trail of online activity—photos, posts, check-ins, comments, and public profiles. Social canvassing leverages this public digital footprint to support claims investigations. Insurance companies conduct claims investigations to evaluate the legitimacy of a claim. But what exactly is social canvassing, and how does it work?
Understanding Social Canvassing
Social canvassing is the practice of reviewing publicly available online information to gain insights relevant to an insurance claim or legal matter. Investigators search open-source platforms—such as social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), forums, blogs, and other digital channels—to find information that may support or contradict details of a claim. The investigation utilizes evidence, interviews, and records to determine the legitimacy of a claim.
Unlike traditional surveillance or physical canvassing, social canvassing is conducted remotely and non-intrusively and leverages a subject’s “digital footprint” to gather the information sought by investigators. Data collected during a social canvass can include tagged photos, event check-ins, status updates, videos, or geolocation data that are not protected by privacy settings. The claims investigation process involves steps such as collecting documents, taking statements, and interviewing witnesses.
How It Supports Claims Investigation
For insurers, the value of social canvassing lies in its ability to validate or challenge a claimant’s narrative. For example, someone filing a disability claim may be found participating in physically demanding activities based on recent photos or videos. Or a claimant’s location check-ins may contradict where they said they were during an incident. These discrepancies, when identified, can help flag potentially fraudulent claims early in the process. Insurance fraud can cost the average American household between $400 and $700 per year in increased premiums.
On the other hand, social canvassing isn’t just about finding red flags—it can also support legitimate claims by verifying timelines, relationships, and events. The insights gained can improve decision-making, reduce litigation risk, and contribute to more efficient claim resolutions. Organizations undertake fraud investigations to identify perpetrators and determine the extent of losses.
A Key Part of Modern Investigations
As claimants increasingly share their lives online, social canvassing has become a vital complement to traditional investigative methods. It is faster and more cost-effective than many in-person approaches, and when done professionally, it delivers reliable, actionable insights. Preserving the integrity of digital information is critical during investigations to prevent evidence challenges.
Ultimately, social canvassing is a modern solution for a digital age—helping insurers and legal professionals stay ahead of fraud, uncover the truth, and handle claims with greater accuracy. When integrated into the broader investigative process, it becomes a powerful tool for risk mitigation and informed decision-making. A human-driven approach is combined with automated programs to verify social media accounts and online information.
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