Settling an auto insurance claim: how long should it take?

State insurance laws dictate whether insurers have specific deadlines in which to settle your claim. To find out the law in your state, go to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website and click on the link for state insurance department websites. Insurers typically won’t tell you exactly how long it will take to settle your claim because each claim is unique. The typical response to questions about deadlines is that all claims are handled “as quickly as possible.” And while that may or may not be true – there is no reason to feel powerless in the process.

What you can do. You can’t force your insurer to settle your claim by a certain date, but there are things you can do to speed up the process, such as:


* Contact your claims adjuster on a regular basis. Don’t sit back and wait for your settlement. Claims adjusters typically handle hundreds of claims. Letting your adjuster know that you are on top of things by contacting them on a regular basis makes it more likely that your file will end up on the top of their pile.


* Demand better service. If you are having difficulty with the adjuster, ask to speak with their supervisor. Most insurance settlements must go through the insurance company’s legal department, which can take some time, depending on the complexity of your settlement. Although a claims adjuster can’t usually tell company attorneys to “hurry things up,” he or she should be able to “manage” the process. If you feel that you’re getting the run-a-round, talk to a supervisor.