The question of how long does an auto insurance claim take is not as easy as a cut-and-dry process. This is because it takes a complete team to handle legal cases meaning they are not dependent on just one person. There are processes involved, including a point where you have to answer questions, the body shop with you in repairing damages, claims adjusters would investigate and examine your claims, and many more. With quite some people involved in settling a claim, it could be a time-consuming process.
The entire process could be stalled if a particular party (might be your party) doesn’t cooperate with the insurance company. Certain elements are involved in settling an accident victim’s complaint. The truth remains that it might take longer for your claim to get settled without having the proper paperwork or documentation. The first question people are faced with is whether or not they should file a complaint or not. This is because certain conditions would prompt you to file a claim or not file a claim.
How Long Does An Auto Insurance Claim Take
For instance, if there are doubts regarding which driver is at fault for the accident, then it could stall the filing of a claim process. Furthermore, if your insurance policy involves notifying the insurance company, then you should do so. In another case, if the accident involves just you and your vehicle with minor damages and no injury or damage to another person or property, then it would be wiser for you to get a repair estimate. This is because you might be able to pay for repairs out of your own pocket without getting money from your insurance company.
Understanding The Types Of Claims
Apart from comprehensive claims, collision claims, and general liability, there are other types of claims that you can also take to. Some of these claims can help save some money in your wallet without impacting your insurance rates. They might include;
Glass replacement
Roadside assistance
Medical claims
Physical damage
Out of all the claims we have listed above, the roadside assistance claims are the easiest to get reimbursement, and they do not cost a lot. There are insurance companies that also offer these without demanding out-of-pocket expenses. In some cases, it would take up to a week for you to get reimbursed for this and about five to eight days for your claim check to arrive. In the case of glass claims, it might not involve any deductible and can be handled quickly. Usually, after filing a claim, glass repair might take up to a week or some extra days. The filing process is very fast all the same.
Insurance claims are that insurance companies are out to get claims settled as fast as they can. In other words, it means insurance companies would want to have your claim settled and paid off in about thirty days of filing. This isn’t a firm or hard requirement, and it is important to file as fast as you can because insurance companies are out to do business. Dragging claims would only make the case more complicated. There are factors that the general time frame of any claim. They include;
If personal injuries are involved
Your insurance companies
State laws
How clear-cut a claim is would determine how fast a claim might get settled. If the damages are easy to value, are clear, the person at fault is clear, involves just one property, then the claims would get settled quickly. On the other hand, claims involving personal and medical damages might take up to several months before they might get settled. Generally speaking, settling a claim is working with and not against the other parties and being patient. This is the only option you have in settling the claim quickly.
State law has set down the time frame for filing auto insurance claims, but this is not the same as the time frame for paying out claims. It simply refers to the amount of time that a car accident victim has to file a complaint. The faster you can file a claim; the faster your claim would get settled quickly. Insurance companies also have policies that tell how long for them to accept claims. If you end up filing your claim late, the insurer can deny your claim.
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