How Long Does An Insurance Company Have To Settle a Claim in North Carolina?

When you’ve been injured in an accident, filing a claim against the at-fault party can allow you to recover damages. Many personal injury victims, however, will elect to negotiate with an insurance provider before escalating their complaint to civil court. 

Although there are advantages to this approach, plaintiffs can still encounter difficulties. Sometimes, the insurance company may not reply in a timely manner. Knowing how long the insurance company has to settle a claim in North Carolina can help you formulate a plan of attack. 

North Carolina Insurance Claim Timeline 

Often, both the plaintiff and defendant will seek to reach a settlement before ever filing a formal lawsuit in order to limit the cost of legal fees and/or speed up the process. Letting the insurance claims process play out allows the insurance adjuster to investigate the facts of the case, as well as the severity of your injuries. Your medical records related to the injury will also be considered. 

From there, you will eventually submit a demand letter to the insurance company. Working alongside an experienced lawyer and a trusted doctor can help you reach an understanding of the true value of your damages. At this point, it will be up to the insurance company to submit an offer in return. 

The important thing to understand is that there’s no specific time by which the insurance company will be obligated to reply. The process can be different in every situation, and there’s no law mandating a deadline. One thing you can do is request that the insurance company reply by a certain date, such as within thirty days of receipt. 

Following Up with the Insurance Company 

Even after indicating a timeline to the insurance company, there’s no guarantee it will reply. After a few weeks have passed, you can consider following up with the insurance adjuster directly, either through a follow-up letter or by calling the company and asking about the status of your case. 

If you’ve followed all these steps and still have been unsuccessful in soliciting a response, you always have the option of going ahead and filing a formal lawsuit in civil court. In some instances, working with a reluctant insurer will  force your hand into filing the formal case. 

Staying in the game and negotiating with the insurance company is often a good way to increase the value of any settlement offered. But if your losses exceed what the insurer is offering to cover or you believe the company is acting in bad faith, filing a personal injury claim in court is a good option to consider. 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Charlotte

Problems negotiating your settlement with the insurance company? At The Nye Law Group, our experienced legal team can help you earn the settlement you deserve. Our consultations are free. 

Call 912-200-5230 or fill out the form below to reach out to an experienced Charlotte personal injury lawyer with The Law Nye Group.