What to do if a friend filed a insurance claim after someone broke in their house and stole personal items but my friend is now is being asked to take a polygraph test?
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What to do if a friend filed a insurance claim after someone broke in their house and stole personal items but my friend is now is being asked to take a polygraph test?
Should they take it or refused the test? I would be very upset to be asked to do this and why would they want to do that. They did not find any prints on anything except a tv that was busted and it had my friends prints only on it which would be expected to me. It sounds like the insurance company is looking for an easy out not to pay. Polygraph testing can show a false positive. They had guns and jewelry stolen.
Asked on July 14, 2013 under Insurance Law, South Carolina
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
Unless their policy requires them to take a test, they are not required to do so. Polygraphs are not scientifically reliable.... which is why many courts prohibit their admissibility. It sounds like the insurance company is just trying to avoid paying a claim. Your friend can either file a complaint with your state board of insurance or hire an attorney to send a demand letter (essentially directing the insurance company to quit playing games).
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