After a car accident, it’s important to get back on the road as soon as possible. Getting back on the road is determined by how long a car insurance claim takes to process. Claim processing changes depending on who your insurance company is, where you live, and what kind of accident you had.
Today, we’ll explain how long it takes to process an insurance claim, and what might be elongated your claim. Typically, most insurance claims for car accidents take anywhere between a few days to a couple months to resolve.
Insurance Claim Process For Car Accidents
Insurance claims can take anywhere from a few days to a few months to process. Most states regulate how long your insurance company has to complete the claims process. Insurance companies also have a set process for car insurance claims, so be sure to get your policy.
However, the claims process can take more or less time depending on:
- Where you live and if you’re in a no-fault state.
- Who yours and the driver’s insurance company is.
- How much car insurance coverage you have.
- What repair shop you use.
- Evidence, such as witness reports.
- Where or not someone was seriously injured.
How Long It Takes To Settle A Car Insurance Claim
Typically, if no one was injured, it only takes a few days to file the claim and repair your vehicle. However, if someone was injured, or your vehicle is totally written off, the claim will take even longer to process.
More extensive claims that involve injuries and complicated repairs can take up to 45 days to settle. If you or the other party has to go to court, it may take even longer.
Longer Claims
Car insurance claims that might take over a month to process and complete include:
- Cases with medical bills and extensive injuries: For these claims, you’ll need to involve doctors and health insurance companies. Adding more parties can elongate claims. If your settlement is unacceptable, you’ll need to involve a personal injury lawyer and negotiate further with your insurance company.
- Cases with extensive physical damages: Typically, extreme structural damage can take the longest to repair. If you have an extensive damage, the repairs will take even longer. Consult with your repair shop to get an estimate on repair time.
- Total loss claims: If your car is written off, or declared as a “total loss,” your insurance company sends you a settlement for a replacement vehicle. Your car’s settlement is based on your car’s current value. If the estimated repair costs are above a certain percentage, your insurance company will write off your car. Claims with written off vehicles can take up to a month just to assess your vehicle’s value.
- Unclear circumstances: If you live in an at-fault state, and it’s unclear as to who caused the accident, your claim will take longer to process. You’ll need the help of the police, witnesses, a lawyer, and your insurance company to help you resolve the claim.
Shorter Claims
But not all claims will take over a month to complete. Some car insurance claims can take less than a week to process. Car insurance claims that will only take up to 10 days to complete include:
- Roadside assistance claims: If you just need to get your car towed, or have another roadside issue, your claim won’t take too long completed. Some insurance companies even cover roadside incidents for you, so you don’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket.
- Glass claims: Any claims repairing glass on your vehicle often take less than a week to process and repair.
How Long It Takes For Insurance Companies To Pay Out Claims
Your insurance company will generally try to file, assess, and settle any car insurance claim within a month. And generally, most states require insurance claims to be resolved within a “reasonable” time. If your claim is taking longer than expected, you can always call your insurance company about the issue.
Your insurance company will send a reimbursement check for all claimed and covered expenses directly to you. But, if your repair shop has a direct relationship to your insurance company, the check is sent directly to the shop and you only have to pay the deductible.
The payout process can take anywhere between 15 to 30 days.
Speeding Up An Insurance Claim
If you want to get your claim processed as quickly as possible, or you’re finding your insurance company is taking too long to process your claim, there are some ways to speed up the process.
Notifying your insurance company right away, and openly communicating with them every step of the way helps move along the claims process. Always stay on top of all your claim forms and submit documents and evidence right away.
This can be done by making sure you properly collect all your evidence at the scene of the accident. Get information such as all driver’s contact, vehicle registration, VIN, and insurance information. There’s no need for you to admit fault or find out anything beyond their basic contact information.
If you get in an accident and are unsure what you need, you can always call Quote Purple to talk with a trusted partner.
Canceling A Car Insurance Claim
You may find that your claim is more expensive to cover through insurance than it is to pay out-of-pocket. When assessing whether you want to make a claim or pay out-of-pocket, consider:
- How much damage is on both vehicles.
- The deductible costs.
- How the claim will affect your premium.
- If you need to cover multiple vehicles.
If your car’s damage is less than the deductible amount, it’s best to pay for the damages yourself. However, if you damage another person’s vehicle, someone else’s property, or there’s extensive damage, you should file a claim.
You may not get an estimate for all the damages until a mechanic looks at the vehicles. You can cancel a claim after filing one. However, the claim will still be on your driving record, so it can affect your premium rate.
Also Read: How To Check Your Driving Record