Professional certification
IFC: Insurance Fraud Certification
Carriers expect the investigators they hire to understand insurance, not only investigation. The IFC closes that knowledge gap between investigators and the insurance professionals who use them, with a curriculum set by an independent board of advisors.
Why the IFC
Investigation skill is only part of the job
Investigation training alone leaves a gap. Without insurance and fraud knowledge, investigators waste time, create liability for the companies they serve, and frustrate their clients.
The IFC curriculum, developed by industry experts and professionals, closes that gap. It enhances the training programs many companies already have, and benefits every investigator from the novice to the most seasoned.
Industry direction
Training standards are rising
Some states now require anyone investigating an insurance claim to have training focused on insurance fraud, and more are expected to follow. Many carriers already require it of the investigators they hire.
The IFC gives investigators a measurable standard, and gives carriers a way to check it.
Level 1
Level 1 Basic Certification: 10 credit hours, $250
Five courses form the Level 1 curriculum.
| Course | Hours | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Overview | 1 hour | Insurance basics, the main lines and what they cover, the claims process, key terms, policy contents, and bad faith and how to avoid it during investigations. |
| Introduction to Insurance Fraud | 3 hours | What fraud is, who it affects and what it costs, who commits it, prevention efforts, how adjusters handle suspect claims, and common indicators. |
| The Use of Surveillance in an Insurance Investigation | 2 hours | Surveillance from the insurer's point of view: what claims professionals give investigators, when surveillance starts and what to expect. |
| Understanding Your Client's Objectives | 1 hour | For investigators working for insurers: identifying objectives, where referrals come from and how your work product is used later in the claim. |
| Workers Compensation Fraud | 3 hours | Fraud by claimants, employers, businesses and medical providers, with red flags, detection methods and investigation strategy. |
Level 2
Level 2 Intermediate Certification: 10 credit hours, $200
Prerequisite: complete Level 1 with a score of 70% or higher. Level 2 combines 6 hours of core curriculum with one 4-hour learning path.
Core curriculum (6 hours, all required)
- Private Investigator Ethics (2 hours)
- Pretext and Privacy (1 hour)
- Recorded Statements, Interviews and Analysis (2 hours)
- Neighborhood Canvasses (1 hour)
Path 1: Auto insurance
- Auto Theft and the Investigation (2 hours)
- Staged Automobile Accidents (2 hours)
Path 2: Life, disability and health
- Life and Disability Insurance and Fraud (2 hours)
- Health Care Insurance Fraud (2 hours)
Path 3: Liability insurance
- The Concepts of a Product Liability (3 hours)
- Subrogation and the Investigation (1 hour)
Governance
Set by an independent board
The IFC is driven by a voluntary, independent board of advisors made up of insurance professionals from all lines. The board reviews and qualifies the curriculum and decides on prerequisites, so the certification keeps pace with what the SIU and claims communities expect.
Other certifications