A new series in the form of docu-reality, highlighting the investigative work of claims adjusters, will be presented in the spring on Canal-D. The series in 8 episodes will present the bottom of a post-fire investigation and all the steps that the experts must take before formally identifying the cause.
When Alain Harvey, president and co-founder of Fraud-Expert, was approached by the production of the docu-reality, he was keen to use this platform to discover the work of all the stakeholders who revolve around him during his investigations. Michel Richer, dog trainer, Philippe Gascon, preventionist, Guy Savoieengineer and Guy Bérubé, Claims adjuster and CFEI (Certified Fire and Explosion Investigators) certification instructor, will be among these stakeholders. The team will also count on the support of the fire and police services of the municipalities visited, as part of the recordings.
During the shootings, the production team went to real post-fire stages. All aspects of the investigation are presented, from the forensic analysis of the scene, to the interviews, to the reconstruction. Different scenarios will be shown during this first season. Both residential, commercial, and auto fires.
“It was not common to investigate vehicle fires before, but with vehicle values increasing and insurance coverage offering replacement value, it’s worth investigating,” Guy says. Berube. It is not uncommon for insurance fraud to be hidden there, he said.
Prevention and fraud
During an interview with the Insurance portal, Guy Bérubé and Alain Harvey have both mentioned on several occasions the importance of such a series on Quebec screens to prevent the risk of fire and deter fraudsters
“We hope the series will make people aware of the importance of being vigilant about exposure to risk and that it will act as a deterrent to attempted fraud,” says Harvey. The ex-police officer also reveals that in recent months, especially because of health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, cases of insurance fraud have increased. “There has been an upsurge in fires in commercial buildings and restaurants since November and December. People are taken by the throat and at the end of their rope. Sometimes criminal groups are involved, ”he adds.
Seeing the efforts made by fire investigation professionals, “we hope that there will be an impact on people who think of this solution to solve their problem,” notes Mr. Bérubé.
Insurers stay away
Despite the usual collaboration of adjusters and insurers, during the filming of the docu-reality, the insurers have all chosen to disassociate themselves and stay away from production, explains Mr. Harvey in an interview. “Except an insurer, who resigned himself and those who gave their agreement in an unofficial way, provided they do not interfere with their internal investigation,” he said.
Consent and the protection of customer information have raised significant concerns on both sides. But the concern for confidentiality of files was the tipping point for insurers. “We are not there to divulge information on clients’ insurance files or to interfere with the work of insurers. The goal is to show our reality and our investigative techniques, but unfortunately insurers are afraid that too much is revealed, ”said Mr. Harvey.
“It’s a shame not being able to collaborate with insurers because it could be profitable for them to collaborate on the project with us, as much to reduce fraud as to do prevention with their insured”, says Guy Bérubé.
“With the show, we show the consequences and collateral damage of a fire. It is hoped that viewers realize the risks they are running and take meaningful action after watching the series. In the first episodes, presented in particular two cases where the smoke alarms were absent or defective. Having an alarm in order is a very simple solution, and yet the consequences of not having one can be very significant, ”adds Harvey.
Almost all of the cases that will be featured in the documentary series have not been attributed to Mr. Harvey and his team by insurers. It was the fire departments or the victim owners who called on Mr. Harvey’s investigation service. The fire service expert would, however, like to collaborate with the insurers, if the series is ever renewed for a second season.
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