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What you post on social media could impact your insurance premiums

Posted at 11:19 PM, Jul 27, 2014
and last updated 2014-07-28 00:04:29-04

THE INTERNET - Social media is great for sharing things about your life and connecting with old friends, but it can also have a down side.

WQAD reports that photos and updates you share on sites like Facebook can have a negative impact on your insurance premiums.

“If you are a friend of an underwriter on Facebook, let’s say you are posting information about your drinking habits or engaging in risky behavior.  It’s certainly something that an underwriter can consider, and from what I understand, there are underwriters that are doing just that,” attorney Dennis VanDerGinst told WQAD.

“I don’t really think it’s quite fair if they can raise the claim based on what I’m going to post on Facebook,” said social media user, Emilia Vargas.

No matter what side of the issue you're on, right now this is all legal.

“If it’s information that’s readily available to the public, then its fair game,” said VanDerGinst to WQAD.

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