According to our previous study, two months is approximately the average time it takes to get a response from an insurance company after sending you a demand letter in a car accident case. The time it takes to repair other physical damage to your vehicle depends on the complexity of the claim filed. It's normal to receive your first contact with the insurance adjuster within one to three days of filing your claim. If an adjuster needs to review the damage, it may take a couple more days.
Using an insurance company approved body shop can speed up the process. A cut and dry physical damage claim is expected to take one to two weeks to complete. This includes coordinating with a body shop and scheduling repairs. If your car is drivable, you can drive it until the repair date.
If you use a repair shop affiliated with (or at least approved by) your insurance company, the process can speed up a bit. The easiest cases will take one to two weeks to resolve. The most complex ones can take weeks or longer, including delays in scheduling and the time your car is in the shop. Of course, you can continue to drive your car, if it is drivable, until repairs are completed.
Once you file your claim, an adjuster is immediately assigned to you, but it can take 24-48 hours to contact you. The adjuster is an employee of your insurance company and is responsible for reviewing all claim notes, determining who is at fault, and keeping you informed of the progress of the claim. Usually, your provider will contact you within two to three weeks, but the final decision on a claim can take weeks or months. There are a few steps you can take to ensure that your claim is addressed as soon as possible.
