After a car accident, you rely on the insurance company to handle your claim fairly and within a reasonable time. When delays stretch on without clear communication, it can add stress and uncertainty to an already difficult situation. Fortunately, Georgia law protects you by setting deadlines for how long insurers can take to investigate and decide your insurance claim.
As a personal injury law firm, we see how claim delays as well as denials from insurance companies can affect people recovering from serious injuries or property damage. Knowing what timelines apply to your personal injury claim helps you recognize when an insurer isn’t following the law. This guide explains the deadlines Georgia sets for insurance investigation duration, what happens when a company violates those standards, and how you can take action to protect your rights.
The Claim Submission and Acknowledgment Phase
Once you file an insurance claim in Georgia, the company doesn’t have unlimited time to respond. State law requires insurance providers to acknowledge your claim in writing within 15 days after receiving it. (Note: this is calendar days, not business days.)This acknowledgment must confirm they’ve received your claim and explain what information or forms they need from you.
That initial response matters because it sets the investigation timeline in motion. When an insurance company doesn’t acknowledge the claim in a timely manner, it can delay the entire investigation and payment process. In some cases, slow communication may signal that the company isn’t following Georgia’s fair claims-handling standards.
If you don’t receive a written claim acknowledgment within those 15 days, it’s reasonable to follow up in writing. Doing so helps document your insurance claim and protects your right to challenge any unreasonable delays later on.
The Insurance Claim Investigation Phase
After acknowledging your claim, the insurance company must begin investigating without delay. Georgia law doesn’t set one exact deadline for completing an insurance claim investigation, but insurers are required to act within a reasonable time and keep you informed. The Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s regulations outline clear standards for communication and progress during this stage of the claims process.
Within 30 days after receiving your proof of loss or all required documentation, the insurance provider must decide whether to accept or deny your claim. If they can’t make a decision within that time, they must provide a written explanation for the delay. That explanation must describe what additional information they need and when they expect to finish their review.
Insurers who need more time must continue to update you in writing at least every 45 days until they reach a decision. These updates are meant to keep you informed and prevent companies from ignoring valid claims. If you stop receiving updates or the explanations seem unreasonable, that may be a sign the insurer isn’t complying with Georgia’s fair claims regulations.
Payment or Denial Decision
Once the insurance company finishes its investigation, it must make a decision and act promptly. If it accepts liability and agrees to pay, Georgia law requires the insurer to issue payment within 10 days of reaching that agreement. Missing this deadline can expose the company to penalties and interest charges under state law.
When an insurer denies a claim, it must provide the reason in writing. That written notice should cite the policy provisions or factual basis for the claim denial. If the explanation is vague or doesn’t address the evidence you provided, it may be worth having an attorney review the response to determine if the insurer acted in bad faith.
Unreasonable delays or baseless denials can violate O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6, which allows you to seek damages for bad faith. If a court finds the insurer acted without a valid reason, you may recover the full claim amount, attorney’s fees, and an additional penalty of up to 50% of the claim or $5,000, whichever is greater. These penalties are meant to hold insurance companies accountable and discourage delay tactics during the claim process.
Factors That Affect Investigation Time
Although Georgia law mandates a reasonable investigation duration, not every insurance claim moves at the same pace. The time it takes for an insurance company to reach a decision can depend on the type of claim, the evidence involved, and how much cooperation both sides provide. Understanding these factors can help you identify when a delay is reasonable and when it’s not.
- Type of Insurance Claim: Car accident claims may involve several insurance carriers, each reviewing fault, medical records, medical bills, accident scene photos, and repair estimates. Claims related to medical malpractice or dangerous property conditions take longer because they often require expert opinions and detailed documentation of what caused the injury. Even a straightforward property damage claim can slow down if the insurer questions coverage or blames another party’s policy.
- Severity of Injuries or Damage: Claims involving severe injuries or extensive property damage usually take more time to evaluate. Insurance companies must confirm the full extent of the loss, verify treatment records, and assess long-term costs such as future care or reduced earning capacity. The more serious the injury, the more likely it is that the company will request additional records or independent medical reviews before deciding.
- Availability of Evidence: The investigation can’t move forward until the insurer receives certain materials, such as police reports, witness statements, or contractor estimates. In Georgia, law enforcement agencies can take several weeks to release official reports, which can stall the claim. If your personal injury attorney or healthcare providers delay sending documentation, the insurer may extend its review until the record is complete.
- Number of Parties Involved: Multi-vehicle collisions or incidents involving several property owners can require multiple insurers to coordinate. Each company must determine its insured’s share of liability under Georgia’s comparative negligence rules. This back-and-forth review between carriers can extend the investigation, especially when one party disputes fault.
- Communication and Cooperation: The law expects both sides to act in good faith and exchange information promptly. When claimants respond quickly to document requests and maintain consistent communication, it helps prevent unnecessary hold-ups. Conversely, unreturned calls, incomplete forms, or lost correspondence can give an insurer grounds to extend its timeline.
- Potential for Fraud or Coverage Disputes: When an insurance company questions whether coverage applies or believes the claim may be inflated, it may order additional steps such as recorded interviews or sworn statements under oath. These actions are permitted, but they must still be completed within a reasonable period. If an insurer drags this phase out without justification, it could violate Georgia’s unfair claims-handling standards.
These factors may explain why one claim takes a few weeks while another stretches into months. Still, Georgia law requires insurers to act with reasonable promptness and keep you informed throughout the claims process. If those updates stop or the explanations don’t make sense, that’s a warning sign that the insurer might not be acting in good faith.
What to Do If the Insurance Company Takes Too Long
When an insurance company delays a car accident claim (or any other personal injury claim) beyond the reasonable time allowed under Georgia law, you don’t have to wait indefinitely. You have the right to demand updates, hold the company accountable, and take action if necessary. Knowing what steps to take early can prevent further delay and improve your position if the insurer’s conduct becomes a legal issue.
- Document Every Communication: Keep copies of all letters, emails, and claim forms you send or receive. Record the dates and names of anyone you speak with at the insurance company. This written record can later serve as proof that you cooperated and the insurer failed to act promptly.
- Follow Up in Writing: If you don’t receive updates within the required timeframes, send a written request for a status report. Ask the insurer to confirm what’s causing the delay and when you can expect a decision. Written communication creates a clear paper trail that’s harder for the company to dispute.
- Request a Written Explanation: Georgia law requires insurers to explain delays or denials in writing. If the explanation doesn’t identify the specific policy terms or evidence they’re relying on, that could indicate noncompliance with the Georgia Fair Claims Settlement Practices Act.
- File a Complaint with the Georgia Office of the Insurance Commissioner: You can submit a complaint online or by mail if you believe the insurer isn’t handling your claim fairly. The Commissioner’s office investigates these complaints and can require insurers to correct improper handling or issue overdue payments.
- Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: If delays continue or you suspect bad faith, speaking with a lawyer experienced in Georgia insurance law can make a difference. An attorney can review your file, identify violations, and, if necessary, file a claim for bad faith under O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6 to recover additional damages and attorney’s fees.
Taking these steps keeps the insurance company accountable and demonstrates that you’re protecting your rights. Most delays can be resolved through persistent documentation and formal communication, but when an insurer continues to ignore Georgia’s legal requirements, hiring legal counsel may be the only way to enforce compliance and secure a fair claim outcome.
What Does This Look Like in Practice?
So how do all these rules and regulations work in an actual claim scenario? Consider this example.
After a rear-end collision in Marietta, you file a claim with your insurance company the day after the accident. Two weeks pass without acknowledgment, and when you finally reach an insurance adjuster, they tell you the investigation is “still pending” with no written explanation, which is frustrating when you’re awaiting a settlement offer.
At this point, the insurer has already missed the 15-calendar-day acknowledgment deadline under Georgia law. After you submit your proof of loss, another 30 days go by without a decision or update. When you ask for a written reason for the delay, the insurance adjuster says they’re “waiting on additional records,” but they don’t identify what records or when they expect to finish their review.
You contact a personal injury attorney who reviews your claim file and correspondence. The attorney identifies multiple violations of Georgia’s fair claims-handling rules and files a bad faith claim under O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6. As a result, the insurance company is forced to pay not only the claim amount but also penalties and attorney’s fees for failing to act in good faith.
How The Champion Firm Can Help
When an insurance company delays your claim or refuses to pay fairly, having an experienced attorney on your side can change everything. The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. has handled many insurance disputes across Georgia and knows how to hold insurers accountable under state law. Our team carries out a damage assessment, reviews your insurance policy and claim history, identifies violations, and demands compliance with Georgia’s fair claims-handling standards.
We understand the impact a delayed payout can have after an accident. You may be waiting for funds to cover hospital bills, vehicle repairs, or other expenses. Our attorneys move quickly to pressure insurers for timely responses, accurate evaluations, and full payments under the law.
If an insurer acts in bad faith, we’re prepared to pursue additional damages under O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6. We’ve helped clients recover the money they were owed plus penalties and attorney’s fees for unfair treatment. When you hire The Champion Firm, you gain a legal team that uses every available resource to protect your rights and secure the claim resolution you need.
Is Your Insurance Claim Being Stalled? Call The Champion Firm!
Insurance companies in Georgia must follow clear rules when investigating and paying claims. They have 15 calendar days to acknowledge your claim, 30 days to accept or deny it after receiving proof of loss, and 10 days to issue payment once liability is confirmed. If they miss these deadlines or fail to keep you informed, Georgia law gives you the right to challenge their conduct and seek additional financial compensation for bad faith.
You don’t have to wait in silence while an insurance adjuster delays a legitimate claim. Knowing the time limits and your legal options gives you the power to act when the company fails to do its job. If you believe your insurance company is dragging out your claim or withholding payment, contact The Champion Firm to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you enforce your legal rights. Please call 404-905-1994 or contact us online today.
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