Mark Casto | March 7, 2024 | Car Accidents
State Farm is one of the largest insurance companies in Georgia and the United States. If you have to make an insurance claim, it’s likely you will be dealing with State Farm – either as your own insurer or the at-fault party’s insurer.
After you are involved in an accident, you might be wondering, “How long does State Farm take to settle a claim?” Here is what you need to know about this issue.
Steps Involved In The Claims Process
If you are injured in an auto accident, slip and fall, or other type of accident in which you are filing a claim, the steps you can expect to be part of State Farm’s claims process include:
- You report the accident.
- A claims adjuster is assigned to the case.
- You file paperwork detailing the accident and your losses.
- The claims adjuster investigates the claim and reviews insurance coverage.
- You submit a demand letter requesting a certain amount of compensation for the claim.
- The insurance company negotiates your settlement.
You will receive a settlement check if your claim is approved and you agree to a settlement with the insurance company. This process can take a few weeks to a few months or longer, depending on the circumstances.
Georgia Insurance Deadlines
According to Georgia’s Standards for Prompt and Fair Settlements of First-Party Property Damage Claims, insurers must meet the following deadlines:
- 15 days – The insurance company must acknowledge first-party claims within 15 days unless it pays the claimant within that time.
- 15 days – The insurance company has another 15 days to investigate the accident and confirm or deny liability after it receives the completed proof of loss from the claimant. If the insurer does not require proof of loss, the insurer has 30 days to confirm or deny liability from the date the claim was reported to it.
- 10 days – After approving the claim, the insurance company has ten days to tender payment for the claim.
- 60 days – The insurance company must generally confirm or deny liability for a claim within 60 days. An exception is if the insurance company needs additional information, has requested information to determine liability, and the insurance company has not received the information.
You are also subject to Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Factors That Can Affect the Processing Timeline
There are some factors that can make claims take longer to process, such as:
- Your injury is severe.
- You have not reached maximum medical improvement.
- You have not provided the information the insurance company requested.
- Multiple parties share liability.
- The insurance company disputes liability.
- You do not have much evidence.
- The damages you are claiming are high.
In some cases, the insurance company may intentionally delay claims in hopes that accident victims will get frustrated and give up on the claim or accept a lowball settlement offer.
Ways To Expedite Your Accident Claim With State Farm
Fortunately, there are ways that you can speed up the claims process, including:
Contacting State Farm
You can contact State Farm directly to ask about the status of your claim. The State Farm Claims phone number is 1-800-SF-CLAIM.
Keeping a Written Record of Communications
Even though State Farm records phone calls, State Farm may not readily hand these over to you. Therefore, you may want to keep a written log of your communications. Keep track of the date, time, and action that occurred during each call. This can help you establish a clear paper trail of how your claim is being handled.
A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Navigate a Claim With State Farm
If the insurance company requests certain information and states that it needs this to process your claim, you may want to consider sending it. However, you should also consider working with an attorney because insurance companies sometimes use deceptive tactics to deny claims. If an insurer says recorded statements are mandatory or asks you to sign blanket release forms, consult an experienced car accident attorney immediately.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. A qualified attorney can help you make the most of your legal rights and options. The first step is to reach out for a free consultation and learn about your best course of action.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus car accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808, Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030