Insurance companies engage the services of private investigators to conduct surveillance activities. This can cost them between $5,000 and $10,000 per case. Consequently, insurers deploy covert surveillance when assessing larger claims that can become very expensive for them. Generally, you can expect to be surveilled if you are a younger LTD claimant in your 30's and 40's. Your claim might stand to cost the insurance company over $1M. The PI may secretly follow you around for some period of time hoping to collect evidence that contradicts information in your medical records and claim applications. The insurance company can confidently deny or discontinue your claim if they collect evidence of you playing a robust game of pickup hockey, for example, when your file indicates severe mobility issues. However, disability claims cases are not always this black and white. In the case of invisible diseases like chronic pain or mental illness, surveillance tapes might only tell the story of a moment in time when you might be having a "good day." Regardless, video and photo evidence can play powerful evidentiary roles to derail a valid claim. Insurance companies will present this information extensively to their advantage to convince jurors and judges when claim denials turn into lawsuits.