What is the primary purpose of a claim investigation?

Claim investigation is the systematic gathering of facts to determine coverage and value. Key questions to answer: (1) What happened? — the cause of loss, sequence of events, parties involved; (2) When and where? — date, time, location relative to policy period and territory; (3) Is the loss covered? — does it fall within an insuring agreement and not within an exclusion; (4) What is the extent of damage? — physical inspection, expert opinions, repair estimates; (5) What is the value? — replacement cost, actual cash value, depreciation, market value; (6) Is anyone else responsible? — third-party liability for subrogation; (7) Is fraud suspected? — red flags requiring further investigation. Investigation methods: interview the insured and witnesses; inspect the property or scene; photograph and document; review documents (police reports, medical records, business records); consult experts (engineers, contractors, medical professionals, fire investigators); review the policy and applicable law. The adjuster must be impartial — neither rubber-stamping every claim nor presuming fraud. Investigation must be completed timely; unreasonable delays can constitute bad faith.