Surveillance 101: Strategies for Investigators

Insurance fraud costs the U.S. an estimated $308.6 billion every year, which means strong surveillance is essential. It remains one of the most effective tools for validating claims, helping uncover up to 30% of fraudulent personal-injury cases.

Even with advanced analytics in place, gaps remain. A 2025 Carpe Data report found 8% of open injury claims with red flags aren’t caught by internal systems alone. That’s where skilled field investigators make the difference, collecting clear, defensible evidence that protects carriers and ensures fair outcomes.

Defining the Purpose of Surveillance

Successful surveillance starts long before an investigator ever hits the field. The first step is clarity: what exactly needs to be documented?

It could be physical capabilities, daily activity levels, employment status, or specific behaviors tied to the claimed injury. It’s also necessary to determine why surveillance is justified, whether due to red flags in the medical records, inconsistent statements, prior claims history, or risk triggers identified by the adjuster.

Just as important is confirming the legal authority for conducting the investigation. Surveillance must fall within policy rights and applicable state laws and, in some cases, may require attorney guidance or a court order. As one investigator put it:

Without a clear, lawful purpose and defined objectives, surveillance can’t be conducted safely, ethically, or effectively.

Going in with the right information ensures the investigation is focused, compliant, and more likely to deliver meaningful results.

Background Information Every Investigator Should Know

Preparation is one of the strongest predictors of surveillance success. Investigators need a solid understanding of the subject, including where they live, how they typically move through their day, their claimed limitations, and any prior behavioral inconsistencies. That baseline helps identify what’s normal and what’s not.

Context also matters. Knowledge of the environment, including parking options, vantage points, neighborhood visibility, traffic flow, and even the presence of privacy fencing, helps determine how close an investigator can position themselves without being detected.

Planning for factors like weather, neighborhood events, and lighting can also determine whether the day ends with usable footage or none at all.

All of this must align with legal and ethical standards, including no trespassing and respecting areas with a reasonable expectation of privacy. As an in-house investigator summarized:

The most useful background information is anything that helps you understand the subject, the environment, and the real goals of the assignment, while staying fully within legal boundaries.

Choosing a Surveillance Location

Where surveillance begins can determine how it ends. Strategic positioning allows investigators to observe entry points, vehicles, and travel patterns without obstruction and without drawing attention.

The best locations offer clear visibility paired with natural concealment. The goal is to blend into the environment so effectively that no one remembers your car parked down the street. An exit strategy is also important. If the subject becomes suspicious, the investigator needs to exit quickly and safely.

Other situational elements, including lighting, traffic, local activity, or even seasonal foliage, may impact sight lines and risk of detection.

Timing matters too. Matching operational hours to the subject’s behavioral patterns increases the likelihood of capturing meaningful footage versus a full day of inactivity.

As our investigator shared:

A perfect spot gives you sight, safety, and an easy exit. Nothing flashy, nothing suspicious.

How to Blend in

The best surveillance is invisible. That means looking like anyone else in the area. Clothing, demeanor, and movement should match the environment. A relaxed presence raises far fewer questions than someone obviously scanning the neighborhood.

A nondescript vehicle goes a long way toward avoiding detection. Parking also matters, changing spots subtly when needed, but without drawing attention with sudden or frequent moves. Keeping equipment small and well-organized prevents suspicious fumbling when a claimant steps outside unexpectedly.

As our source emphasized:

You should look like you belong there, not like you’re trying to belong.

Surveillance is the disciplined combination of preparation, positioning, and professionalism. When investigators enter the field with lawful purpose, strong background intelligence, and the ability to stay unnoticed, they dramatically increase the chances of uncovering the truth.

Or as our investigator put it:

Surveillance is patience, purpose, and legality working together. When those align, you’ll get what you need.

Want to see what successful surveillance can uncover? Talk to us today.

Check out our sources:

Insurance Information Institute. “Facts & Statistics — Insurance Fraud.” III.org. 2022, https://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/fraud/.

The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. InsuranceFraud.org. Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, https://insurancefraud.org/about-us/.