Planning a Surveillance Assignment: What to Share Before Day One

Surveillance is often the most effective way to get answers, and also the easiest to waste. An investigator parked in the wrong place, on the wrong day, watching for the wrong car, will come back with very little no matter how skilled they are. The difference usually comes down to what happens before the first hour is billed.

Here is what to share with your investigator, and why it matters.

The question you need answered

Start with the goal, in one or two sentences. “I want to know where my husband goes on Thursday evenings.” “We need to see whether the claimant’s activity matches the restrictions in the claim.” A clear question tells us when to watch, what to document and when we have enough.

A good photograph and a description

A recent, clear photo of the person is essential. Add height, build, hair, glasses, tattoos and how they usually dress. People look different from a distance and in a car, so the more detail, the faster and more reliably they can be identified.

Vehicles

Make, model, color and license plate for every vehicle the person might use, including work vehicles and cars belonging to friends or family. Note anything distinctive such as stickers, roof racks or damage.

Routines and timing

This is where you save the most money. Tell us:

• Work hours and location, and whether they change
• Days and times you believe something is happening
• Regular stops such as the gym, a friend’s house or a favorite restaurant
• Anything coming up, such as a trip, a “work event” or a day off

An investigator who starts at the right place at the right time can spend their hours documenting rather than searching.

Addresses and places

Home address, workplace, and any other addresses you know of. If you suspect a particular location, share it, along with how sure you are. We will plan around access, traffic and where we can lawfully observe from.

What the person knows

Does the person suspect they may be watched? Have they spotted you checking up on them? Have you confronted them? This changes how carefully we need to work, and it is one of the most important things to be honest about.

What not to do

Once surveillance is planned, try to keep things normal. Don’t change your own routine, mention an investigator to anyone involved, or try to watch alongside us. It can put the assignment at risk and occasionally put you in an uncomfortable position.

What you receive

At the end you get a report with times, locations and observations, supported by photographs and video where they were obtained, written plainly so you, and your attorney if you have one, can understand exactly what was seen. Read more about how we work on our surveillance services page, or see how professional surveillance works.