The question of how long does a car insurance claim take to settle is neither a simple nor cut-and-dried one. It takes a team to handle insurance cases; they are not dependent on a single person. There will be a process involved during which you will need to answer questions, claims adjusters will go over the claim, the body shop will work with you and the insurance company, and more.
With an entire team of people involved in settling your claim, getting the job done can be a time-consuming process. If any one party (including you) doesn't cooperate, the whole process can get held up. Let's check out the elements that go into settling your complaint, and why, without proper teamwork, your claim can drag on longer than it should.
To File or Not to File: That Is the Question
The first question you should ask yourself isn't "How long does a car insurance claim take to settle?" It's actually, "Should I file a claim at all?" According to The Balance, there are certain conditions under which you should and should not file. For example, if there's any doubt about who was responsible, file a claim. If your insurance policy stipulates that you are required to notify them, by all means, do so.
On the other hand, if the accident was just you and your vehicle, there's no damage to anyone else's property or person, and the damage seems minor, you may want to get a repair estimate first. You may be able to afford to pay the repairs out of pocket and not take a hit on your insurance rates.
Knowing the Types of Claims
Aside from general liability, collision, and comprehensive claims, there are a variety of other types of claims you might make, some of which can save you money without taking the full hit to your rates. According to Overett Group Attorneys, these include such things as:
- roadside assistance
- glass replacement
- physical damage
- medical claims
Of these, roadside assistance claims are often very easy to be reimbursed for and don't generally cost a lot. In fact, some insurance companies offer these without any out-of-pocket expense as a complimentary service. Usually, if you need to get reimbursed for these, it's just around a week, from five to eight business days, for the check to arrive.
Glass claims, likewise, can often be handled quickly and sometimes with no deductible. Usually, after filing the claim, your glass repair can be scheduled within the week or a bit longer if you need factory OEM glass. Regardless, it's a quick filing in general.
More Expansive Claims
Physical damage and medical claims can take a bit longer because they can be more complex. In a physical damage claim, the time frame required depends on the extent of the damage. Usually, you'll hear from an insurance adjuster within three days of making the claim to discuss matters. If they need to survey the damage, it can be a few more days.
If you use a repair garage that is affiliated with (or at least approved by) your insurance company, the process can speed up a bit. The easiest cases will take between one to two weeks to resolve. More complex ones can take weeks or longer, including scheduling delays and the time your car is in the shop. You can, of course, continue to drive your car, if it's drivable, until repairs are complete.
Medical claims can take a long time to process, depending on how complex the claim is. After you complete the initial claim paperwork, it goes to the hospital and doctors, who will work directly with the insurance company and claims adjuster to handle the issue. If your healthcare company already provides coverage, that will require a separate claim (usually filed by your healthcare provider) to get expenses reimbursed. This will, of course, reduce the amount you recover.
General Timeframe: Intention Versus Reality
As Cover.com points out, the insurer really wants to get your claim settled as quickly as they can. In general, this means they'll have a goal to have the claim settled and paid out within thirty days of filing. This, however, is neither a hard nor firm requirement. They will certainly do their best to get it filed as fast as they can because the insurance company is a business and they don't make money by dragging out complicated claims.
Factors that can influence the general time frame of your claim include:
- state laws
- your insurance company
- whether personal injuries are involved
Each state law has mandated filing times for auto insurance claims. This is not the same thing as the mandated time to settle or pay out a claim. This is just the amount of time you have to actually file the original paperwork. As always, the faster you file, the more likely it is your claim will be handled quickly.
Likewise, every insurance company has a different policy for how long they accept claims. Always be aware of the turnaround time in your insurance coverage, which can be quite different from that required by the state. If you file too late, your insurer can deny your claim.
Finally, as Rodriguez Law points out, personal injuries always create more complexities in a claim, and while you may file quickly, the existence of bodily harm can certainly lengthen the paperwork involved, the filing requirements, and the back-and-forth required to settle the claim. Property damage, by comparison, is very cut and dried, with clear expenses that are easy to value and settle.
How Long Does a Car Insurance Claim Take To Settle?
According to HG.org, the answer to the question "How long does a car insurance claim take to settle?" depends on a number of factors, but most importantly, it comes down to how clear-cut the claim is. If the damages are clear, easy to value, involve only property, and the person at fault is clear, claims can be settled quickly.
Claims that involve medical damages and personal injury, on the other hand, can take several months or more to settle, with some of the most complex cases taking years. Some cases never settle. In the end, settling your case is largely a matter of being patient and working with, rather than against, the other parties involved in settling your case. That's your best bet for settling matters as quickly as possible.
Sources:
https://www.thebalance.com/how-long-does-an-insurance-claim-take-527095
https://cover.com/blog/how-long-does-filing-an-auto-insurance-claim-take/
https://www.rodriguezlaw.net/long-take-settle-car-accident-claim/
https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/how-long-will-it-take-to-settle-my-car-accident-case-24768
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a28969226/crash-survival-on-the-rise/
