How Long Does Insurance Company Have To Investigate A Claim​?

Filing an insurance claim can feel like dropping something into a black hole. You send off the paperwork, make a few calls, and then… silence. 

The waiting part is easily the most frustrating. 

You want to know when you’ll get an answer, right? 

The good news is, insurance companies can’t just take forever. They actually have deadlines for how long they can investigate a claim.

In this post, we’ll explain how long an insurance company has to investigate a claim​, why things sometimes drag on, and what you can do to speed things up if the wait is testing your patience.

How Long Does Insurance Company Have To Investigate Claims?

It takes anywhere from 30 to 90 days for an insurance company to investigate a claim.

When you file a claim, the insurance company kicks off a process called an “investigation.” That’s where they gather all the details, check reports, review damage, and confirm the facts before deciding to pay or deny your claim.

Now, here’s how the timing typically works: once you submit your claim, the company usually has about 30 days to acknowledge it. 

During that time, they’ll assign an adjuster, open a file, and start requesting information from you or anyone involved.

Then comes the main investigation window. 

Most states allow insurers around 30 to 45 days to look into everything and make a decision. 

Some states give them up to 90 days, especially for more complex cases like serious accidents, medical claims, or large property losses.

Also Read: What Happens If The At-Fault Driver Has No Insurance?

If the insurance company needs extra time, they can often get an extension but they can’t just stall for no reason. They have to explain what’s holding things up and give you a new estimated date for when you’ll get a decision. 

Why Do Some Claims Take Longer?

Not every claim is simple, and there might be delays. Sometimes it’s just a paperwork issue. Other times, it’s something totally out of your control. 

Here are a few common reasons:

• The insurance company is waiting for documents like police reports, repair estimates, or medical records.
  
• The facts are unclear, and they need more time to verify what really happened.
  
• Multiple parties are involved, like in a multi-car accident, and everyone’s insurance companies are talking to each other.
  
• The damage or injury is serious, and the adjuster needs extra reports or expert opinions.
  
• There’s a dispute over coverage, meaning the insurer is double-checking if your policy actually covers the situation.

Sometimes the delay isn’t even intentional. Insurance adjusters juggle a lot of files. If one small thing gets missed like a signature, a form, or a missing receipt, it can pause the whole process until it’s fixed.

Also Read: ​Whose Insurance Pays In A Multi Car Accident?

That’s why staying in touch and being proactive can really help. 

The more quickly you respond to requests and send over documents, the faster your claim moves through the system.

What You Can Do If The Investigation Is Taking Too Long

Even with deadlines in place, some insurance companies still drag their feet. 

If you’ve been waiting for what feels like forever with no clear update, it’s totally fair to take action. You don’t have to sit there wondering what’s going on.

Here are some smart steps you can take to keep things moving:

#1 Follow Up Regularly

Keep it polite, but persistent. Calling or emailing every week or two is totally reasonable. Just ask for a quick update on your claim’s status and if they need anything else from you. 

Sometimes a simple nudge is enough to get your file back on someone’s desk.

When you reach out, write down who you spoke with and what they said. 

It’s an easy way to track progress and show that you’ve been actively involved.

#2 Ask For Everything In Writing

If the investigation drags beyond the usual 30 to 90 days, ask the company to explain the delay in writing. 

Most states require insurers to tell you exactly why the claim is still under review and when they expect to finish. Having that in writing keeps them accountable and gives you something concrete to refer back to if things continue to stall.

Written communication also prevents miscommunication so there’s no more “we never said that” situations. 

You’ll have proof of what was discussed and promised.

Also Read: How To Negotiate With Insurance Adjusters

#3 Keep Your Own Records

Every time you send an email, make a call, or get a letter from the insurer, save it. Keep all your claim documents, photos, and notes in one place. 

If the company ever claims there’s been a misunderstanding or missing info, you’ll have a full timeline ready to go.

Your records can also come in handy if you need to file a complaint or get legal help later. 

It’s basically your personal backup system.

#4 Reach Out To Your State’s Insurance Department

Every state has an agency that regulates insurance companies. 

If your insurer is ignoring you or taking way too long, you can file a complaint with them. They’ll review your case and make sure the company is following the law.

These departments take delays seriously, especially if you’ve been waiting without explanation. 

A little pressure from a government agency can do wonders for getting your claim moving again.

#5 Talk To An Attorney

If you’ve done all of the above and still feel stuck, it might be time to call in backup. 

An experienced insurance attorney can step in, review your claim, and communicate directly with the company on your behalf.

If the insurer is delaying payment without a valid reason, it could even count as acting in bad faith, which means they’re violating their legal duty to handle your claim fairly.

An attorney can tell you if that applies to your situation and help you figure out the next move.

Sometimes just having a lawyer involved makes the insurance company move a whole lot faster.

Bottom Line

Insurance investigations take time and that’s just part of the process. But there’s a big difference between a normal delay and an unreasonable one. Most claims should be wrapped up within a couple of months, not dragged out for half a year.

If things feel stuck, stay proactive. Follow up, get details in writing, and keep track of everything. 

And don’t hesitate to get help if you think your insurer is stalling.

At the end of the day, you deserve answers. You’ve done your part by filing the claim and providing what they asked for.