how much time is given for car insurance company to settle a claim?
Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at
11:10 pm
asad c asked:
my car was hit in parking lot and insurance is dragging its feet to investigate. how much time is officially allowed for this investigation and what are my rights bacause it has been 30 days today. i have a full insurance on this car and insurance company is investigating as a fraud claim!. insurance from metlife!
my car was hit in parking lot and insurance is dragging its feet to investigate. how much time is officially allowed for this investigation and what are my rights bacause it has been 30 days today. i have a full insurance on this car and insurance company is investigating as a fraud claim!. insurance from metlife!
Tagged with: Claim Insurance • Fraud Claim • Parking Lot
Filed under: Car Insurance
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First call your state board of insurance, tell them the problem and let them contact the agency. You might be surprised about how fast the company responds. Second call a lawyer most won’t want to handle it because the money is in personal injury but they might tell you your rights with a free consult.
Claims being investigated for fraud are under different guidelines than claims that are not being investigated for fraud. and when a claim has been brought into the SIU department that info isn’t shared with the person being investigated. But when they are brought into SIU, it’s for a darn good reason, whether you’re committing fraud or not. By law the insurance has to investigate suspicious claims, whether or not it actually is.
As for what ‘cece’ recommends, contacting the state…you can do that, that’s your option. But once they are aware your claim is being investigated for fraud–you’re done.
It all depends on your state. Most states have statutes that make them move the investigation forward. At the 30 day mark, they are not required to make a decision, but rather give you an explonation in writting of where the investigation is and where it is headed.
You need to ask for this documentation (they are supposed to send you a letter, but in case they don’t, then ask). This will be enough for you to talk send a complaint to the insurance commissioner.
Remember that insurance is under the fair claims act (federal act), and they must do everything to advicate for you, the client. So gather informaton from them and submit to the insurance comissioner.
Also Write a letter to Metlife. Tell them that it is very difficult for you to mitigate your damages ( ) read that portion. Tell them that your cost is going up due to their delays.
This will make them move!
Hope this helps
30 days to determine fault. After that, they have to give you a reason. Reason of investigating fraud, they are allow 6 months in California. I don’t know what state you are in, but you could call the insurance commisioner and ask him/her.