Claims professionals who rely on videos and photos obtained through social media investigations need to make sure that evidence can be backed up as authentic, Virtual Symposium B.C. speakers suggest.

There are several reasons why a social media investigation is useful during a claim, said Gavin Phillips, regional manager of investigations for xPera.

Benefits include locating evidence, and identifying and locating witnesses.

‘More and more, [social media investigations] are a critical component to determine the potential for recovery and legal action, especially when you are dealing with the kind of subjects who won’t necessarily keep properties, vehicles, and other assets in their name, but will not be able to resist posing with them on their Instagram accounts,’ Phillips said Tuesday during a panel at Virtual Symposium B.C.