How Long Does It Take State Farm To Settle Claims In Chicago, IL?

Muhammad Ramadan | April 6, 2024 | Car Accident

If you were recently injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be stressed and concerned about dealing with the insurance company. Many accident victims expect to quickly receive a settlement check to help pay for medical bills and make up for lost income. However, many victims are left waiting for months to hear anything from the insurance company. 

There are many factors that can affect how long your claim with State Farm takes to process. However, insurance companies often cause unnecessary delays as a way to get victims to get frustrated and give up on the process or accept a settlement for less than they deserve. Here is what you need to know about the potential timeline of processing your claim with State Farm. 

Factors That Can Affect the Processing of Your Claim 

There are several factors that can affect how long it takes a State Farm representative to process your claim, including:

• The type and severity of your injury
• How long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement
• The extent of your property damage
• Whether the accident caused you to receive ongoing mental health counseling
• If multiple parties share liability for the accident
• Whether liability is clear 
• The strength of your evidence 
• The insurance coverage available

There are also individual factors that could affect your claim, such as whether you have pre-existing conditions that may have been worsened because of the accident. 

State Deadlines On Processing Insurance Claims

Companies that sell insurance policies in the state of Illinois are required to follow certain rules regarding the processing of claims. Illinois insurance law requires insurance companies to provide the forms necessary to present a claim within 15 working days of receiving a request to file a claim. 

Additionally, the Illinois Administrative Code requires an insurer to provide a written explanation that describes the reason for any reasonable delays. This explanation must be provided if the insurance company has taken more than 60 days to resolve a property damage liability claim from the date it received notice of the claim. 

Indications of Bad Faith 

In some cases, the insurance adjuster may be acting in bad faith. They may be intentionally delaying your claim to try to minimize its value. 

Some examples of bad faith insurance practices include:

• Misrepresenting the type of insurance the insured has and its limits
• Not acknowledging or responding to communications with claimants 
• Failing to process claims in a timely manner
• Using an unreasonable basis to estimate damages
• Refusing to make a fair settlement offer
• Advising claimants not to seek legal assistance 

An experienced attorney can review your case to determine if the insurance company is acting in bad faith and if you can take legal action against them. 

Ways To Get Your State Farm Insurance Claim Processed More Quickly 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to get your claim processed more quickly, including:

Contact State Farm 

You can contact State Farm directly to begin the claims process. Ask the representative if there are particular forms you need to complete to begin a claim. This will begin a clock and help prove bad faith if the company does not provide the requested information within the relevant timeframe. 

Cooperate With the Process

Once you make a claim, the insurance company will need to conduct an investigation. By cooperating with this process, you can speed it up. For example, the insurance company may need to meet you somewhere to investigate the damage to your vehicle after an accident. Show up for the appointment. 

However, you do not have to give the insurance company a recorded statement. Instead, you can refer the agent to your attorney to get the information they need to process your claim. 

Don’t Exaggerate Your Claim 

You might be worried about the amount of money State Farm will give you for your damages. However, it is important that you are honest and do not exaggerate your damages, which can put your credibility into question. 

Provide accurate information to State Farm, the mechanic, and your medical providers. If you don’t know the answer to something, say that. 

Contact Our Chicago Car Accident Law Firm For Help Today

Working with an experienced lawyer can also help you expedite your claim. Experienced car accident lawyers handle accident claims every day. They know how to communicate with insurance companies, expedite claims, and get the compensation their clients deserve. A dedicated car accident lawyer in Chicago can help you throughout the claims process. 

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Chicago, Illinois, and need legal help, contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

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