{"id":19986,"date":"2024-03-21T10:10:28","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T14:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.propertyinsurancecoveragelaw.com\/?p=19986"},"modified":"2024-04-01T12:03:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-01T16:03:21","slug":"why-has-my-claim-been-transferred-to-the-siu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.propertyinsurancecoveragelaw.com\/blog\/why-has-my-claim-been-transferred-to-the-siu\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Has My Claim Been Transferred to the SIU?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you received a notification from your insurance company that your claim has been transferred to the SIU? All insurance companies have a Special Investigative Unit (SIU) that handles elevated claims. Policyholders may be informed by the claims adjuster that their claim has been transferred to the SIU, leaving the insured confused and perhaps apprehensive. Let\u2019s take a look at the process more comprehensively.<\/p>\n

What Is an SIU?<\/h2>\n

SIU stands for \u201cSpecial Investigations Unit.\u201d These units are tasked with investigating and preventing insurance fraud<\/a>. Almost all insurance companies have departments that handle these investigations, though they may call them by other names.<\/p>\n

A claim is usually transferred to the SIU when an insurance company believes there could be fraudulent activity. Claims are also sometimes submitted for routine audits by the SIU as a general fraud deterrent.<\/p>\n

The SIU will investigate the claim more thoroughly than the normal claims handling process to determine potential fraud. Such investigation may require that the insured participate in an Examination Under Oath, or EUO, much like non-elevated claims.<\/p>\n

What Does an SIU Investigator Do?<\/h3>\n

SIUs typically employ professionals with backgrounds in law enforcement, legal studies, finance, or forensic accounting. When a claim is flagged as potentially suspicious, SIU investigators use various tools and techniques to investigate the claim, including interviews with claimants and witnesses; gathering and analyzing evidence; data analysis, and potentially even surveillance or collaboration with law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n

What Should You Do If Your Claim Was Sent to SIU?<\/h2>\n

If your claim has been transferred to an SIU, it\u2019s best to take a proactive approach. Attempt to find out what about the claim has been deemed suspicious, and provide additional documentation or evidence to support your side. It\u2019s often valuable to have the assistance of an attorney<\/a> who can represent you and your interests.<\/p>\n

What Is the Process for an SIU Investigation?<\/h2>\n

The investigation process can vary from one agency to another, but generally, once a claim has been flagged for further investigation, the process for an SIU investigation will proceed along these steps:<\/p>\n