When your residential or commercial property is damaged, emotions may run high. Although you’ll probably feel shocked, angry, or frustrated, the best thing you can do is jump into action to protect your investment. Regardless of where you live, you can maximize your chance of a timely and fair insurance payout by filing your claim quickly and staying in touch with your insurance company. If you’re preparing to file your claim or have already filed, you’re probably curious about what the timeline for payment looks like. Although this answer varies by state, here is a general overview:
What to Expect from the Insurance Claim Timeline
There’s no question that when your property has been damaged, you’re ready to receive payment as quickly as possible. However, states often have different rules regarding how long they can take to investigate and provide payment for claims.
For example, insurers in the state of Florida have 90 days to make a decision on a claim and 20 days to send payment. For those who live in Arkansas, the process can be much faster, as insurers are only allowed 15 days to reach a decision and 10 days to provide the payout. On the other end of the spectrum, states like Maine do not have a set time limit for settling a claim.
What You Can Do to Speed Up the Process
If you live in a state that has a longer waiting period to provide payment for damage, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do to help speed the process along. The answer to this question isn’t always straightforward, but there are several things you can do to increase the likelihood of receiving a timely settlement figure and payment. Here’s a look at factors you can control:
- File as soon as you can.
- Have all documents related to the claim on hand, including photos and receipts.
- Communicate with your claims adjuster throughout the process.
- Agree to receive settlement payments electronically to avoid the wait time of a check in the mail.
Property damage is always nerve-racking, but it helps to take a deep breath and go over your to-do list before filing your claim. If you properly documented the damage and filed within the appropriate timeframe but your claim was denied or underpaid, you have the right to seek help from an attorney. Our legal team is here to provide you with expert assistance, so please contact us for more information. We look forward to learning more about your case and determining how we can help.