If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida, you may be wondering how long you have to wait before the insurance company settles your claim. Understanding the timeline and deadlines that insurance companies must follow can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you are owed as soon as possible.
At Rosen Injury Law, our injury lawyers in Fort Lauderdale have decades of experience dealing with insurance companies and helping our clients navigate the claims process. If you have questions about your insurance claim or if the insurance company is delaying your payment, we want to help. Call (954) 787-1500 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
Florida Insurance Laws
Florida law establishes time frames that insurance companies must follow when processing claims. However, the timelines vary depending on the type of claim being filed.
First-Party PIP Claims
Florida is a no-fault insurance State. This means that after an accident, you must file a claim with your own insurance company for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. PIP coverage can help pay your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
You must seek medical treatment for injuries within 14 days of your accident to be eligible for PIP benefits. If you wait longer than 14 days after an accident, the insurance company does not have to pay any benefits under your PIP coverage.
Once you have submitted your PIP claim with all required documentation, your insurance company has 30 days to either pay or deny your claim. If your insurance company denies your PIP claim, it must provide a written explanation for the denial. You then have 15 days to revise and resubmit your claim with any additional information to support your case.
Third-Party Liability Claim
Third-party claims arise when you file a claim against another party’s insurance company or your injuries exceed the Florida Serious injury threshold. Unlike PIP claims, there is no set deadline for insurance companies to resolve third-party claims in Florida.
However, Florida law has established general timeframes for insurance companies to follow, such as:
- The insurance company must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 14 days.
- Once they have acknowledged your claim, the insurance company has 30 days to investigate the claim.
- After completing the investigation, the insurance companies must decide on your claim within 90 days.
- If your claim is approved and you agree to a settlement, the insurance company must send payment to you within 20 days, unless you expressly agree to a different deadline.
How You Can Help Speed Up Your Settlement
While some factors are out of your control, there are some things you can do to help expedite the settlement process, such as:
- Seeking immediate medical attention after the accident.
- Following your treatment plan.
- Retaining all medical records, receipts, repair estimates, and anything related to your accident.
- Not providing a recorded statement without speaking to an experienced attorney.
- Promptly responding to requests from the insurance company.
- Hiring an experienced accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.
Let Rosen Injury Law Help You With Your Insurance Claim
If you have been injured in an accident in Florida, you have the right to receive fair compensation promptly. At Rosen Injury Law, our personal injury attorneys have a proven track record of recovering maximum compensation for our clients. We understand the tactics insurance companies use to delay and devalue claims, and we know how to counter them effectively.
Call (954) 787-1500 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.