If my car was stolen and now my insurer wants to conduct a 40 minute interview, is that legal?
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If my car was stolen and now my insurer wants to conduct a 40 minute interview, is that legal?
I have full auto coverage. My car was stolen last month and I reported it to the police. I also filed a claim with my insurance company. Now the investigator wants a phone interview. I don’t feel comfortable with that. Also, my car was recovered a week later.
Asked on July 7, 2014 under Insurance Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
If you do not cooperate with them, they will not have to pay your claim--you'd be in violation of your obligations as the insured. (Insurance policies are contracts; if one party violates its obligations, the other party is excused from having to do their part.) They could also refer the matter to the authorities if they believe there was criminal wrongoing involving you--which is not to say you will necessarily be investigated or prosecuted by the authorities, but if an insurer, under the circumstances and based on the insured's actions or behavior has a good faith and reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing, they can report it.
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