In most cases, insurance companies are required to complete their investigation and either approve or deny a claim within a reasonable time frame, typically around 30 to 45 days, depending on state law and the challenges of the personal injury case.
It is frustrating when an insurance company seems to take a long time to get back to you. Having an attorney may help, especially as that means the insurance adjuster knows you are serious about receiving compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and more.
If you’re wondering, “How long does an insurance company have to investigate a claim?” or when you can expect to see compensation for your losses, it’s time to call our Atlanta car accident lawyers. Contact us for a free consultation if you have been waiting too long.
What to Know about the Insurance Company’s Right to Investigate
Insurance companies have the right to look into your claim and make a decision on its validity. Here are some things to keep in mind as it comes time for your claim investigation:
The Insurance Policy
Insurance policies are contracts that provide very specific rules for all parties to follow. These contracts provide some basic rights. Insurance companies are tasked with being fair and reasonable, as well as being timely. However, they also allow the insurance company to be thorough in its claim investigation.
The Investigation Time Frame vs. the Decision Time Frame
Typically, insurance companies have 15 days to acknowledge receipt of the claim you submit. That does not mean they have to decide within that time frame. They then have 15 days to investigate the claim. They have 40 days to settle the claim from start to finish.
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When Claims Take Longer to Resolve
Often, claims will be investigated and decided on in the typical time period. However, delays do happen. Here’s what you should know about when claims remain open for longer than expected.
What Is the Reason for the Delay?
There are many situations where you may find there are delays. Those 15 days of claim investigation can also seem very long, especially if you are not receiving any communication from the insurance company or if they continue to ask for more information.
There are some situations where it can take longer, especially if the situation involves multiple claims from various people or there is any situation in which there are concerns about the legitimacy of the claim.
Can the Insurance Company Request More Time?
The insurance company can make a claim for needing more time. In some situations, they simply want more time to “make a decision” or to “further investigate” the claim.
The insurance company can make a formal request for more time. If they do so, they can request up to 60 additional days to make a decision. If you are stuck waiting longer than you should, don’t wait to take legal action and fight for your right to compensation.
What Happens After Those 15 Days?
Insurance companies have 15 days after accepting the claim information to make a decision on it. That decision may include denying or accepting the insurance claim. But where do you go from here? This depends on whether your claim is accepted, your claim is denied, or no agreement is reached.
What to Expect Following a Claim Denial or Acceptance
If the insurer denies it, they must tell you why. If they accept it, that does not mean the insurance company will give you all of the compensation you have requested to cover medical expenses, property damage, and more. They may state that they do not believe you are owed full compensation, or they may try to prove that you were partially at fault.
This type of scenario can lead to some negotiations between you (or your car accident attorney) and the insurance company. Remember: the insurance company’s goal is to keep the payout as low as possible. Our goal is to maximize the compensation. Take legal action with us now.
What if No Agreement Is Reached?
When no agreement can be reached between the two parties, the next step is to go to court. This can delay the claims process significantly. We recommend going to court when there is likely to be significant compensation available to you.
We do not recommend settling your case for less than what you are owed; a personal injury attorney at John Foy & Associates will fight for the maximum compensation owed to you.
How Our Attorneys Negotiate Your Insurance Claim to Get Maximum Compensation
When you work with our car accident attorneys, our goal is to do all we can to maximize your claim payout from the insurance company while still getting those funds to you as soon as possible. That is a balancing act that a seasoned personal injury attorney takes seriously.
We Gather Evidence
The more evidence and information available (including medical bills, medical records, police reports, and witness statements), the more likely it is for the insurance company to settle fairly.
No one wants to go to court because it is expensive and time-consuming, and when we can provide clear information about your losses through physical evidence, it is difficult to refute that payment.
We Handle Delays Fast
Insurance companies cannot ignore the rules when it comes to meeting timeline requirements. Under Georgia Code section §33-6-34, they may be found in violation of unfair settlement practices if they delay in making payment or simply do not acknowledge your claim within these timeframes.
If they do not provide a reasonable and accurate explanation of why they denied your insurance claim, or they do not provide payment to you within the 10-day timeframe allowable, you can file a lawsuit against them.
We Keep You Advised of Your Options
There are many steps in filing an insurance claim after a serious car accident. Without a doubt, our legal team at John Foy & Associates has the goal of getting the claim settled for the largest amount possible in the fastest time frame.
We will continue to provide you with legal counsel and updates about your legal options and rights throughout the process. Our attorneys are transparent with you about your options. We do not promise more than we believe you are owed, and we do not stall in fighting for your compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation with John Foy & Associates Now to Get Help
After a car accident, truck accident, or another type of incident, you may just want to move on. However, you don’t want to risk leaving money on the table. Now that you know how long an insurance company has to investigate a claim, you may be ready to push them to get funds in your hands sooner.
Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer from John Foy & Associates now; there is no cost to take legal action against the insurance company if we do not help you get compensation.
To learn more about insurance claim filing and how to get compensation for your medical treatment after a wreck, visit our FAQ page.
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