If you’ve never made an insurance claim before, you’re probably wondering how long it could take to settle your claim. So, how long do car insurance claims take, and what – if anything – can you do to expedite the process? We consider these questions and more below.
What Is an Insurance Claim for Personal Injury?
You can make an insurance claim if you’re involved in an accident such as a car crash. The insurance claim covers losses such as medical bills, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses. Depending on what happened, you could also be entitled to damages for anguish, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
How Long Do Insurance Claims Take to Settle?
If you’ve been involved in an accident, you might be wondering “how long does an auto claim take” or something similar. Thankfully, there are statutory timeframes for how long insurers have to process your claim. Timeframes give you peace of mind and help to ensure that companies handle claims as efficiently as possible.
- When you file a claim with your own insurer, they have 15 days to acknowledge receipt of your claim and, where relevant, request further information.
- Once they receive the extra information they require, or once they’ve confirmed they’re processing your claim, they have a further 15 days to deny or accept your claim.
- If your case is more complex, this second deadline may be extended to 45 days. The insurer must notify you of this in writing, though, and they must explain why.
Although these are the statutory timeframes, insurers don’t always keep to the schedule. It’s not unheard of for insurers to act in what’s called “bad faith” – let us briefly consider what this means.
What Does It Mean if an Insurer Acts in Bad Faith?
If an insurer acts in bad faith, it means they did not treat you – or your claim – fairly. For example, an insurer may be acting in bad faith if they don’t honor your insurance policy, fail to investigate the claim properly, or they misrepresent the type of cover you have.
If you have concerns about whether your insurer is acting in bad faith, call AK Law Firm without delay.
How Long Does Insurance Have to Pay a Claim?
If the insurer agrees to pay your claim, this means that your claim is approved. Upon approval, they have five business days to make the payment. In the event that your claim stems from a natural disaster of some kind, the insurer has 15 business days to pay out on your claim.
So, if you ask a question like “how long does a car insurance claim take to settle”, the answer could be somewhere around a month or two, on average.
Sometimes, though, payment can take slightly longer. This could happen if there are multiple claimants involved or your case is particularly complex. If there’s a delay in processing your payment, then the insurer should explain the reasons for this and keep you updated.
You should consult an attorney for help as you may be entitled to damages for the delay.
What If the Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to deny claims or to make you an unfair offer. AK Law Firm insurance claims attorneys can help at this stage, but in the meantime, here is how you might handle this situation.
- Ensure that the company provides a written explanation for why they denied your claim.
- Check with your policy to confirm whether the insurer is denying your claim for an allegedly valid reason.
- Contact the claims department to request a more detailed explanation as to why your claim has been rejected.
Our attorneys can handle these communications for you, so you can focus on moving on with your life rather than dealing with stressful insurance claims.
What Can I Do to Speed Up the Claims Process?
Unfortunately, insurance claims won’t be resolved overnight. However, there are a few steps you can take to move your insurance claim along.
- Give a full account of your injuries, especially if they’re more complex. Include medical records if you can.
- Provide as much evidence as possible – such as photographs and witness statements – to support your claim.
- If the insurer requests further paperwork from you, send the required documents promptly.
Insurers have a certain length of time to accept or deny your claim. If it’s taking longer than expected, or they deny your claim, consult an accident attorney in Texas for advice.
How Can Insurance Claims Attorneys Help?
Dealing with an insurance claim is stressful and sometimes fraught with emotions. It’s often a good idea to hire an attorney to support you from the outset – here’s why.
- We will carefully value your claim to ensure that you know what your case is worth.
- Our lawyers can advise if an offer is fair so you can either accept or reject it with confidence.
- We will ensure that you provide as much helpful evidence as you can to strengthen your claim.
- Our team will stay in contact with the insurer, reducing the chances of them acting in bad faith.
- If the insurer is acting in bad faith, we can help you claim any extra compensation you may be entitled to for the distress caused.
If your claim is denied, or the insurer won’t make a fair offer, our team can take your case to court to fight for what you’re owed. It’s advisable to always consider hiring an attorney to review an offer before you accept it to determine if it’s fair.
Hire an Insurance Claims Lawyer in Texas
Insurance claims can take a surprisingly long time to settle. The best way to resolve your claim as quickly as possible, and to get what you’re entitled to, is to hire an insurance claims lawyer. AK Law Firm attorneys have the experience and commitment to handle your case quickly and effectively. Call our law firm today to get the compensation you deserve.
