insurance
Investigation of Atypical Claims: Complex and Unusual Cases
When a claim falls outside the usual management framework
Some cases are not well suited to standardized processing frameworks: exceptional financial stakes, international contexts, complex contractual arrangements, unusual policyholder profiles, and claims involving rare or legally novel issues.
For these cases, the manager needs an investigative partner capable of adapting its methodology, drawing on a range of expertise, and providing a deliverable that is perfectly tailored to the anticipated litigation requirements. A standard framework is not sufficient: a specific scope of work, senior-level personnel, and close coordination with the company’s legal counsel are required.
The Aquila Group comprises four distinct yet integrated areas of expertise: Insurance Investigations, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM), OSINT, and Traditional Investigations. This organizational structure is particularly well-suited to handling atypical claims that require the simultaneous application of multiple areas of expertise to a single case.
In practice, atypical cases rarely come to light immediately: they gradually emerge as an apparently routine claim is investigated. A routine claim that later reveals a cross-border dimension, a claim amount that skyrockets during the loss assessment, or a policyholder profile that becomes increasingly complex: it is often when a case strays from standard parameters that a structured investigation becomes essential. Our firm is accustomed to stepping in on a case that is already underway to clarify its atypical aspects.
Typical Characteristics of an Atypical Claim
- Significant financial stakes, generally exceeding one hundred thousand euros, sometimes amounting to several million.
- International scope: an incident occurring abroad, an expatriate insured, and multiple parties in several countries.
- Customized Policies: Coverage tailored to a specific risk (works of art, professional athletes, high-profile executives).
- Unusual policyholder profile: public figure, corporate executive, substantial private wealth.
- Legal issues that are new or subject to fluctuating case law.
- A combination of several types of claims arising from a single complex incident.
What Is Included in the Investigation of Atypical Claims
Our approach is tailored to each client’s specific needs from the initial scoping phase onward, in consultation with the company’s management and board of directors.
Define the specific scope of the investigation in consultation with the company’s management and board.
Combined deployment of several of the firm’s divisions (Insurance Investigations, OSINT, and Surveillance, if applicable).
Targeted field deployment: observations, interviews, and on-site inspections in the relevant areas.
In-depth document-based cross-checks of background information and related contexts (legal, financial, professional).
International investigations are possible through our partner network, CII (50+ countries).
Close coordination with our partner law firm in cases involving sensitive legal issues.
A report tailored to the specific objectives defined at the start of the investigation.
Delivery in an appropriate format: full report, summary, or oral presentation, as needed.
ANONYMIZED CASE STUDY
Disappearance of a Work of Art
, During International Transit
A work of art insured for 1.8 million euros goes missing while in transit from Paris to New York. The carrier confirms receipt, but the buyer disputes it. Our initial approach simultaneously engages three areas: Insurance Investigation to interview the crew and handlers at both ends of the route; OSINT to monitor sales and exhibitions of the artwork; and our U.S.-based CII partner to conduct on-the-ground verification in New York. Six weeks of coordinated investigation established the complete transit chain and identified a documentation error at the intermediate transfer point. The report, written in French with translated appendices, formed the basis for the company’s decision.
The Process of Investigating an Unusual Claim
The initial framework is crucial: it establishes the involvement of the various units, the timeline, and the method of reporting.
01
Exchange
In-depth preliminary discussion with the manager to assess the nature of the case and identify the departments to be involved.
02
Framing
Define the scope, tentative timeline, and measurable objectives in consultation with the company’s board, if necessary.
03
Instruction
Review of the case file, prioritization of lines of inquiry, and submission of a tentative schedule to the case manager.
04
Deployment
Coordinated field deployment, potentially across multiple countries via the CII network, with regular reporting.
05
Restitution
Delivery tailored to the objectives: full report, summary, or oral presentation, as needed.
Our international CII network covers more than 50 countries for cases with a cross-border dimension.
Why entrust your case
atypical for the Aquila Group?
The Aquila Group brings together four areas of expertise—Insurance Investigations, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM), OSINT, and Traditional Investigations—which can be deployed jointly on a single complex case. This integrated approach is rare in the French sector and is particularly well-suited to atypical claims.
Victor de Villeblanche, director of the Insurance Investigation Division, has a background in law and spent six years working in close protection in Southeast Asia. His versatility is invaluable on cases that involve financial stakes, unusual circumstances, and diplomatic or reputational sensitivities.
For unusual cases involving significant litigation, our multidisciplinary firm works in collaboration with a partner law firm specializing in insurance law and complex litigation, which ensures a seamless transition between factual investigation and the legal analysis of whether litigation is advisable.
- Four centers of expertise that can be mobilized jointly.
- CII International Network for Cross-Border Cases (50+ countries).
- Enhanced privacy — no outsourcing.
- A customized approach from the very first conversation with the account manager.
- Partnership with a specialized law firm to handle the legal aspects.
The CII (Council of International Investigators) brings together private investigators from more than fifty countries.
To discuss an unusual case, please contact us directly using our contact form.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A case that falls outside the usual parameters due to its amount, context, the insured’s profile, its international scope, or its novel legal aspects. Cases are evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the case manager.
Yes, through our partner network, CII, which covers more than fifty countries. International assignments are billed based on the French rate schedule, plus actual travel, lodging, and meal expenses.
Yes. In fact, that’s one of the firm’s specific strengths. A complex case may combine Insurance Investigation for fieldwork, OSINT for open-source research, and Detection if a TSCM aspect is relevant.
Variable. It is set at the beginning of the case and may be adjusted based on new information that comes to light. A timeframe of four to eight weeks is typical for cases of moderate complexity.
Through direct communication with Victor de Villeblanche, the division director. This initial contact helps determine whether a structured investigation is warranted and, if so, within what framework.
Check out all our insurance claims sections
Be sure to check out our section on TSCM detection – Electronic dust removal for the detection of bugs and cameras, as well as ourOSINT digital investigation.