I was a passenger in a 5 car pile up about 2 1/2 years ago (Aug 04). We were at a stand still and were hit 3 times from behind and pushed into another car in front. I wasn't seriously injured but had just been released from the hospital that day after having my right wrist rebuilt. I reinjured that wrist and had some whiplash that I saw a neurologist for. Anyway I was offered a settlement of 15,000 from the ins company of the driver to hit us first. It paid my bills and I walked away with 4,000 my lawyer thought this wasn't good and decided to go to my mother in laws ins co (the driver) for uninsured/ underinsured and they denied it so we are going to arbitration. Anyway, my question is, I just received the paperwork to fill out from the lawyer for Allstate and there are so many questions that I really don't think I need to answer like 1) have I been convicted of a felony (yes, 12 yrs ago at age 18) 2) all names of my doctors, clinics etc for the past 10 years 3)where I have worked in the past 10 years, all places and 4) my husbands information. What do these questions have to do with anything related to the accident that I was a PASSENGER in. I guess I am just kind of confused. Does this have to with my character? Credibility? etc. I am an innocent person that was a passenger in a 5 car accident, that has paid all the bills related to the accident etc etc. Oh and what galls me more, my mother in law, who faked a whiplash received money from not only the other insurance co but also for underinsured/uninsured from her company, Allstate but denied me. She wasn't even injured.

Because they are going to dig up as much dirt on you that they can, most likely going over your credit reports, and other investigation.
They will see if there is anything that can make you look like you are cheating the system.

Here we go. Question #1 have I been convicted of a felony? A: This is probably more for witness qualifications, that is the only reason I could see this would be applicable. Question #2 all names of my doctors, clinics etc for the past 10 years A: They are going to want to know your medical history for past injuries. If you had a broken wrist a year before the there could be underlying reasons you had a problem with your wrist, or if you are claiming a soft tissue strain to your back and you have been going to the chiropractor every week for the past two years... why should the insurance company pay for you to just keep going? Question #3 and Question #4 A: These could just be to verify your background and who you are.

Some questions may not seem relevant, or may not be relevant, but your mother in law is the perfect example of why these questions are asked. Fraud is so prevalent in the car insurance industry that the insurance company many times looks like they are being the bad guy and finding a reason not to pay. But realistically probably 75%+ injury and property claims involve some type of fraud.

A couple more things...
1. Don't compare your injury claimt to hers, that is comparing apples to oranges, they are not related but you are two different people with two different claims, even if you were in the same car. She is a named insured on the policy and you were a guest in her car who already settled with the other company, you may be viewed a lot differently.

And 2. You have a lawyer, which in many peoples opinions are rip off artists in the first place that are just looking for their 30%, insurance companies are quick to snatch up the demands of any lawyer because they are usually 2 to 3x what the claim will settle for. In many cases the lawyers will only keep pushing the issue because they want you claim to go up in value, not because they want what's best for you but because they want what's best for themselves.

First off, Thank you for your helpful answers I do get it. But, 1) I have been convicted of a felony, like I said 12 years ago when I was 18 2) I have had some major health issues (Cancer, chronic kidney stones/ infection) 3) I do have bad credit due to medical bills and 4) my husband is estranged (no contact for 3 years) I have been in a relationship for many years to another person and have 3 children so I am a full time stay at home mom (before that was in college) so I have no real "jobs". Will any of this effect me. My lawyer, who is also a part time judge, isn't one of those ambulance chaser guys and really thinks (I think) I was given a raw deal in this. I have never been to a chiropracter or such and I broke my wrist 3 weeks before the accident so the only thing in my medical history is irrelavent do I really have to let them see this very personal info? Thank You!