Auto Insurance Claims: What private information am I to answer the insurance adjuster, arson, insurance

Question
My car caught fire while driving on the highway in the state Florida.  The fire department and the police responded.  They had the car towed to the nearest body shop.  I contacted the insurance company and the adjuster called.  I gave him all the information he requested.  I have now received paperwork to fill out and complete.  My question is there is one sheet that is asking me to sign for them to pull all my private information for the past 3 years:employment history, banking records, utility records, medical history, credit history, criminal back ground and mental health issues & etc.  I can understand criminal check as to see if I have ever been involved with arson, but I feel the other information requested in an invasion of my privacy.  Am I legally bound to sign the consent form?

Answer
The answer to your question lies in the language of the insurance policy that you purchased.  As I don't have a copy of your policy, I cannot say.

Now, on the type of claim that you have, I doubt that they really have any desire to pull your medical records, delve into your mental health or utility records.  

However, if they do not have every person sign the same form for every investigation, someone will sue them for discrimination.

The fact that you were driving the vehicle when it caught fire, had the PD and FD there and then had the car towed to a shop, there is not likely a suspicion of fraud.  However again, it is a fairness issue.  If they waive the forms and procedures for you, then the next person can have a cause of action for being asked to sign the same forms.

If you are uncomfortable with their having permission to look at things that have little to do with an auto fire investigation such as medical, old employment records, mental health, then just cross those items off of the agreement before sending it back.  They will likely have no problem with that.  In fire investigations, economic motive is sometimes explored which justifies the credit report, verification of a means of making a payment, etc.  If the physical evidence of this fire doesn't point to suspicions of arson, then they will likely never pull any kind of info anyway.  

Good luck!

Good luck!