State Farm was founded in 1922. The company has a humble background, being established as a mutual auto insurance company owned by its policyholders. A century later, it is now the nation’s largest car insurance company, representing 16.84% of all policies.
If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s a high probability that you will be dealing with State Farm. It’s helpful to know what you can reasonably expect. Here, we discuss the time it takes to settle a claim with State Farm in Augusta.
Legal Time Limits in Georgia
Companies that sell insurance policies in Georgia must comply with state laws regarding the fair administration of claims.
In Georgia, first-party claims must meet specific timeframes, including:
15 days to acknowledge the claim and provide the policyholder instructions and forms to file the claim
15 days to render a decision about the property damage claim
30 days to complete a coverage investigation
10 days to make a final payment
However, insurance companies may extend the time limit to deny or accept a claim. Car accidents are also subject to a two-year statute of limitations, so if it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit, you must do so within two years of the accident date.
Factors That Can Impact the Timing of Resolving Your Claim
Many factors can affect how long it takes to process your claim. Some victims are able to resolve their claims within a few weeks. Other claims may take months or even years before the case is resolved.
Some of the factors that can affect how long your claim may take include:
The type and severity of your injuries
How long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement, the point at which you are not expected to improve any further, based on your doctor’s assessment
Whether liability is in dispute
The strength of your evidence
The amount of damages involved
Whether multiple parties share liability for the accident
How long it takes you to respond to requests for information to process your claim
Another factor that can affect your claim is whether you have a lawyer. When you work with a lawyer who is experienced at handling these matters, they can ensure that your claim is processed in a timely manner or take legal action if the insurance company is acting in bad faith.
Ways To Resolve Your Insurance Claim More Quickly
The goal of your lawyer is to settle your claim for the most amount of money as quickly as possible. Your lawyer does not want to settle for less money than you need to fairly compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It’s important to keep this in mind because being more patient can result in a significant increase in the amount of your settlement.
That being said, there are some ways that you may be able to expedite your claim, including:
Keep Detailed Records
Keep detailed records of every communication you have with the insurance company. Keep all letters, emails, and written correspondence. For any phone calls, write down the date, time, adjuster’s name, and details about what was discussed.
Provide the Necessary Information
You must be careful about the information you share with the insurance company, but you do have to provide sufficient information so that your case can be investigated.
You may have to provide information to the insurance company about your losses, such as:
Medical bills
Repair quotes and reports
Lost wage statements
Even within this context, it’s crucial to work with an Augusta personal injury lawyer. The insurance company may send you medical release forms that request more medical records than necessary to process your claim.
For example, they may blame your back injury on a previous work injury, even if that happened years ago. It’s better for you to control the information you send to the insurance company rather than allowing them to have blanket access to your records.
An Experienced Augusta Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You With Your State Farm Insurance Claim
Working with an experienced lawyer can help protect your claim from deceptive or tricky tactics. They can also ensure progress is being made on your claim. Contact an experienced Augusta personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
