how long does it take an insurance company to offer settlement?

[binny]

I know this probably depends on a lot of different things.

Long story short from Dhs accident in May, we gave all the information in August and still havent heard anything from them. They know he is through with his claim. This is from Geico. The car and medical have been taken of but the settlement part is what Im talking about.



Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks

 

[C.Ann]

Mine was settled within a few weeks. I would call and ask what the hold up is.. Sometimes you just have to prod them along..

 

[QT Pooh]

Don't want to be negative, but it depends on how the insurance agents are working together. I was in an accident in January 2005 and had over $9000 in damage to my car. The other agent wouldn't return my agent's calls (because the other driver did NOT think he was at fault) so it went into arbitration with the state insurance board. In October 2005 I finally received settlement. They found the other driver was 90% at fault. I hate insurance companies...they don't realize there are people at the other end of a claim.

 

[binny]

thanks Im going to have DH call today.

This lady was at fault, she admitted it at the scene and afterwards. she rear ended someone who rear ended my dh( both were stopped at a light) . She was charged with several things I think.


Anyway, this insurance agent is just not very nice. He really pressured us to send him information he didnt need and was basically a real jerk until I mentioned the word lawyer. That got him to come around but we havent heard from him since September and he said " Its on my desk somewhere I havent had a chance to look at it"

yeah whatever.



Im sorry for your experience QT that is rotten!!

 

[C.Ann]

thanks That got him to come around but we havent heard from him since September and he said " Its on my desk somewhere I havent had a chance to look at it"

------------------------

That's a totally unacceptable answer. Ask to speak to his supervisor and advise them that if you have to contact a lawyer to get things moving THEY will be reimbursing you the fees!

 

[mrsv98]

I would get a lawyer, insurance companies will hem and haw as long as they can. They will try and stretch it out until the statute of limitations runs out and you can't sue. You need to find out if you are required to ask for arbitration first, if you don't you might be screwed. A lawyer is the best bet because s/he will know how to mive through the mine fields and deal with reluctant insurance companies. Remember, insurance companies will try to avoid paying out at all costs, so be persistant.

*the preceeding is not to be construed as legal advice only personal opinion*

 

[mtblujeans]

thanks Im going to have DH call today.

This lady was at fault, she admitted it at the scene and afterwards. she rear ended someone who rear ended my dh( both were stopped at a light) . She was charged with several things I think.

Anyway, this insurance agent is just not very nice. He really pressured us to send him information he didnt need and was basically a real jerk until I mentioned the word lawyer. That got him to come around but we havent heard from him since September and he said " Its on my desk somewhere I havent had a chance to look at it"

yeah whatever.

Im sorry for your experience QT that is rotten!!

The last time I had a car accident I broke my back, it was the other driver's fault, and he had no insurance....so I had to deal with my insurance co. and that is the way I was treated! I just got the impression that if you really have a claim that is worth any $$, that is the way they treat you. The insurance co. tries to hang onto their money as long as they can!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Personally I would get an attorney. You will get a better, more timely settlement that will be worth the 33 1/3% plus costs.

 

[zalansky]

I am not trying to start a debate so don't flame me please....but I am an auto insurance adjuster (at least for a few weeks I will be and then I will be going back to school and staying home with my kids ) but if this is a reputable insurance company they should be taking care of your claim in a timely manner. This is regulated by the insurance commissioners in every state. I can assure you that companies do not try and hold out for as long as possible hoping that the statue of limitations runs out so the people are out money.
If I were you, I'd contact the insurance company handling the claim and speak to someone first. It could be the person handling your claim just happens to be a bad or lazy adjuster, trust me, there are lots of them. If you have to, speak with a supervisor. If you get nowhere at that point I would contact the insurance commissioner in your state. Letters from the insurance commissioner are alot more effective than threatening letters from personal injury attorneys - I can assure you of that. If I had a dollar for every time someone threatened me with the old "I am contacting MY attorney" I'd be rich. Remember you get more bees with honey. (Also, I'd never give an atty 33 1/3% of my settlement, ever. I can also assure you that just because an atty gets involved you do not get a larger settlement)
I don't own stock in the company I work for (which is a huge corp.) and I don't make a huge salary, but I know we are to handle our claims in a timely manner and they must be fair as well. Google "fair claims practices" if you want to see what I'm talking about.
If you have any questions, PM me. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the inner workings of auto claims. Good luck!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am not trying to start a debate so don't flame me please....but I am an auto insurance adjuster (at least for a few weeks I will be and then I will be going back to school and staying home with my kids ) but if this is a reputable insurance company they should be taking care of your claim in a timely manner. This is regulated by the insurance commissioners in every state. I can assure you that companies do not try and hold out for as long as possible hoping that the statue of limitations runs out so the people are out money.
If I were you, I'd contact the insurance company handling the claim and speak to someone first. It could be the person handling your claim just happens to be a bad or lazy adjuster, trust me, there are lots of them. If you have to, speak with a supervisor. If you get nowhere at that point I would contact the insurance commissioner in your state. Letters from the insurance commissioner are alot more effective than threatening letters from personal injury attorneys - I can assure you of that. If I had a dollar for every time someone threatened me with the old "I am contacting MY attorney" I'd be rich. Remember you get more bees with honey. (Also, I'd never give an atty 33 1/3% of my settlement, ever. I can also assure you that just because an atty gets involved you do not get a larger settlement)
I don't own stock in the company I work for (which is a huge corp.) and I don't make a huge salary, but I know we are to handle our claims in a timely manner and they must be fair as well. Google "fair claims practices" if you want to see what I'm talking about.
If you have any questions, PM me. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the inner workings of auto claims. Good luck!

I didn't say to THREATEN with getting an attorney, I said to go ahead and get one. And yes people do end up with more of a settlement. I am out of that line of work now, but I know.

 

[zalansky]

You seem defensive Miss Jasmine, I did not single you out and as a matter of fact I wasn't even referring to your post, so there is no need to get defensive.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

You seem defensive Miss Jasmine, I did not single you out and as a matter of fact I wasn't even referring to your post, so there is no need to get defensive.

I was not being defensive, I was clarifying.