How Cell Phone Tower Data is Misused to Deny Insurance Claims
Cell phone tower data has been used by law enforcement during investigations for a variety of crimes, including theft, arson, and even murder. This source of evidence, however has recently come under fire in California because several cases of insurance companies using (and reportedly misusing) cell phone tower data to deny insurance claims were reported.
It’s vital for California residents to understand the role cell phone tower data plays in insurance claim adjustments. The data collected by these towers can be reliable. However, an inherent margin of error associated with interpreting the information can prove detrimental for residents filing legitimate insurance claims.
Understanding Bad Faith Insurance
Your insurance premium payments are, essentially, an agreement between you and your insurance company that it will supply compensation for covered claims. However, insurance companies are in business to make money, and paying claims costs money. Despite this, insurance companies and claims adjusters have a legal duty to act in good faith and process legitimate claims according to the terms of the policy in question.
Once an individual files a claim for insurance coverage, the insurer typically sends a claims adjuster to investigate the claim and ensure its legitimacy. Claims adjusters also look for any reason to deny or lower a claim amount, such as the insured party contributing to or causing the claimed damages in some way. Insurance companies have an obligation to perform their investigations honestly and in good faith. When they use subversive or dishonest tactics to reduce claims, this is acting in bad faith.
Where Cell Phone Tower Data Comes into Play
Thanks to technology, we have an unparalleled convenience at our fingertips at any given time, but the tradeoff is that our lives are far less private. Many California residents don’t realize the myriad methods used by various companies and entities to collect data and track our movements through the digital world.
Insurance companies recently started using data from cell phone towers in their investigations. The accuracy of this information to pinpoint a person’s location based on which towers his or her cell phone pings is a matter of debate. There are countless opportunities for misinterpretation and misapplication of this user data. Cell phones don’t always ping the nearest tower when they send and receive signals. When a phone is within range of more than one cell tower, factors such as cloud coverage, terrain, and signal strength determine which towers the phone will ping, so location data isn’t always accurate.
Some insurance companies have used cell phone tower data as evidence the claimant committed insurance fraud, lied about the extent of a claim, or had some measure of involvement in claimed incidents. Misinterpretation of this data has led to false convictions for crimes or other legal issues for policy holders. Misuse of cell phone tower data has led to individuals filing lawsuits against those insurance companies for acting in bad faith and using inaccurate information.
Fighting Bad Faith Insurance
Proving that an insurance company mishandled, misinterpreted, or misrepresented cell phone tower data can be a significant challenge. The plaintiffs who have had to do so in recent years have incurred legal expenses, fines, financial strain, and even jail time due to false accusations of insurance fraud. It’s important for California citizens to know their rights and connect with reliable legal representation whenever an insurance claims adjuster wrongly uses cell phone tower data to deny legitimate claims.
If you believe an insurer has acted in bad faith, reach out to a qualified, reliable attorney to help you manage your case. If you’re fighting misrepresentative cell phone tower data, an attorney will be an invaluable asset.