How long does it take for insurance to give an estimate?

Asked by: Osvaldo Bosco  |  Last update: August 21, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (48 votes)

Once an accident has occurred, your insurance company will send out a claims adjuster who will estimate the damage and will provide an estimate for overall damages. An estimate through your insurance carrier could take from two to five days, which could create setbacks with repairs.

How long does it take to get an estimate from insurance?

After your vehicle is damaged, it may take a few days for an estimator to look at it. Estimates begin with an inspection that could be as short as 15 minutes or as long as a couple of days. If there is significant damage, it will take longer to assess.

How long should it take to get an insurance quote?

When comparing rates online using a comparison method, such as Experian's car insurance tool, you'll have rate estimates within a few minutes of entering your information. But in cases where more details are needed, the quoting process could take up to 48 hours.

How long does an insurance company take to make a decision on a claim?

Typically, insurance companies have 15 days to acknowledge receipt of the claim you submit. That does not mean they have to decide within that time frame. They then have 15 days to investigate the claim. They have 40 days to settle the claim from start to finish.

How much time does it take for an insurance claim?

Is there a time limit for insurance claim settlements? The time limit set for the claim settlement process by the IRDAI is within 30 days of raising the claim. Most insurance companies settle the claims within 10 days. Read on to know everything about the claim settlement process.

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How long does it take an adjuster to look at your car?

Usually, you'll hear from an insurance adjuster within three days of making the claim to discuss matters. If they need to survey the damage, it can be a few more days. If you use a repair garage that is affiliated with (or at least approved by) your insurance company, the process can speed up a bit.

Can I sue my insurance company for taking too long?

The answer to this question is complex, but California health insurance providers are bound by state law to respond to claims within a specific amount of time. If they fail to do so, you may have the basis for a lawsuit against your insurer due to bad faith.

What is the timeline for insurance claims?

Timeline on Insurance Claims in California

In California, an insurance company has 85 days to completely settle a claim after it has been filed. However, up until those 85 days, there are some ways that an insurer has to communicate with the injured victim and their attorney.

Who gets the insurance check when a car is totaled?

If you own the car without any loans or liens, you will receive a check for the value assessed by the insurance company. If there is a loan, the check usually goes first to the leasing company or the lender. If you owe money on the vehicle, you should notify the lending company that your car has been totaled.

How long does it take for an insurance company to make an offer?

In many situations, insurance companies will respond to offers and counteroffers quickly, usually making a decision within a few days to a few weeks. However, this can go on much longer. There are some situations where it can take weeks to months before you can agree to the settlement amount offered.

Why wont insurance give me a quote?

Car insurance providers may not be able to offer you a quote for a number of reasons, such as: Your postcode falls outside the insurer's criteria. You've had previous convictions. Your profession falls outside an insurer's criteria.

Why is my insurance taking so long?

» FAQs » Why do Insurance Companies Take So Long to Pay Out? Insurance companies may conduct an extensive investigation into an accident to determine fault and liability. This is one reason why it may take a long time for insurance companies to pay out.

Do insurance quotes hit your credit?

Since getting a quote won't affect your scores, regularly getting quotes might be a good way to find out if you could save money by switching insurance companies.

How long does an estimate usually take?

The estimation process usually only takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Your estimator will thoroughly examine your vehicle and assess the extent of the damage, taking detailed notes as they go.

Do insurance companies lowball estimates?

Insurance companies sometimes make lowball offers to test how desperate or determined the claimant is. They know that some individuals, especially those in immediate need of money, might accept a low offer simply to resolve the matter quickly.

How long does it take to get insurance quotes?

If you have all of the necessary documents and information in hand about your vehicle and drivers on the policy, you can get a quote over the phone in as little as five minutes. Once you have the quote, the process to get a policy might take a few hours (or less).

Can you ask for more money when your car is totaled?

In some cases, you may get more insurance money for a totaled car than for repairs. In addition, it is possible to negotiate a higher settlement by providing evidence that your car was worth more than the insurance company's initial valuation.

What is the total loss law in Minnesota?

If your vehicle sustains extensive damage in a crash, your insurance company may declare it a “total loss.” Under Minnesota law, a vehicle may be declared a total loss if the cost of repairing the damage is greater than 70 percent of the car's pre-crash “actual cash value,” which is the amount necessary to replace the ...

How long does it take for an insurance adjuster to come out?

Typically, after reporting a claim to your insurance provider, you can expect a claims adjuster to reach out within 24 to 48 hours. This initial contact will be to gather more details about the incident and potentially schedule a time for an in-person inspection of the damages.

What are the stages of an insurance claim?

Steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid
  • Step 1: You file your claim.
  • Step 2: The company asks questions.
  • Step 3: You choose a contractor or shop.
  • Step 4: You get paid.

What is the waiting period for claims?

So, the waiting period is the time you must wait before those specific elements of your coverage become active and you can use them. If you make a claim for something subject to a waiting period during it, your insurer is unlikely to approve it, although certain insurers may apply discretion in some cases.

What happens if insurance doesn't respond in 30 days?

Insurers Do Not Need to Respond to Demand Letters

However, your attorney will be ready to take action against the company if they refuse to give your claim the attention it deserves. This might be by filing a civil lawsuit against the company if they continue to handle your claim in bad faith.

How likely is an insurance company to sue you?

While subrogation allows insurance providers to pursue third parties, an insurer usually cannot sue their policyholders. However, there are certain situations where an insurer may take legal action against its policyholder.

Why do insurance companies take so long to pay out?

Reviewing Insurance Policies

If multiple parties are involved in the accident, the insurance company may need to review and interpret several different policies to figure out how much to pay out. Insurance policies are generally long and complex, so it can take time to go through each one.