Insurance company's actions justified?

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http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news...

What laws, if any, were violated? What if this happen to you?

Its totally legal, and ALL insurance companies do it. In fact, its funny they nailed Progressive, as they are the ones who least do it....mainly cause it costs a lot of money. Progressive did not send these Investigators into the Church, the Investigators were trying to get a name for themselves and went that far. Progressive simply hires these investigators, tells them what they are looking for (as often people over-treat for nothing...or they are lying on a statement, or are being uncooperative with the information) and the Investigators go looking for information.
I worked as an Insurance Claims Adjuster, and these people are rarely used. They cost way too much for the little they are really needed. Progressive had accepted liability in the accident and were paying damages. Prior to the Insurance Adjuster I did a brief stink as a PI, just like those people that were in that Church.
Mainly Medical Insurance companies use PIs and there are some who will do whatever it takes to get clients...even compromise their integrity. Progressive got nailed in this for hiring the wrong people.

I would say no..bad taste yes illegal no

Were the insurance company's actions justified...probably yes...their job is to protect their clients and protect their shareholders...remembering that they are a business in market to make a profit. If they believed they were being ripped off then they can move to protect their interest. You will note that once they determined the claim was legitimate they ceased covert activities.

What laws were violated? No laws were violated. Common decency and respect were pushed real hard but no laws. The covert couple were asked into the private residence which covers trespassing and illegal entry. The fact that they said they were one thing and actually were another may be cold but not criminal.

What if this happened to me? Wouldn't.....what sane person is going to sit in a church group and confess criminal activity to one another? A confession by the way that is not covered under the clergy privilege as it was confessed to a group of people who were not by definition clergy. Big warning here is people need to recognize to whom they are discussing issues with that could land them being prosecuted.