If you’ve filed a car accident claim and weeks or months have gone by with no real progress, you’re probably frustrated and wondering what to do next. Delay is one of the most common complaints people have about the insurance claims process, and it often has little to do with whether the claim is valid. Insurance companies delay claims for reasons of their own, and understanding those reasons can help you respond.
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Delay Works in the Insurer’s Favor
The simplest explanation is that time helps the insurance company and hurts you. While a claim sits unresolved, the insurer keeps its money. Meanwhile, your medical bills keep arriving, you may be missing work, and financial pressure builds. The more pressure you feel, the more likely you might be to settle quickly and for a lower amount than what you’re actually entitled to just to end the process and get some money in your pocket.
Common Delay Tactics
Some delays are legitimate, but others can seem a bit more calculated. Some tactics that often show up include:
- Repeated document requests: Asking for records in pieces, requesting items already provided, or asking for paperwork that has little to do with the claim.
- Slow communication: Taking weeks to respond to calls and letters, transferring the claim between adjusters, or making you start over with someone new.
- Endless “investigation”: Keeping a claim in the investigation stage long after the facts are clear.
- Disputing the obvious: Questioning liability or the seriousness of injuries (TBIs, spinal cord injuries, etc…) even when the police report and medical records clearly show that you were injured in the accident.
While sometimes the delays are legitimate, there are times when it seems more like a tactic.
When Delay Crosses the Line in Missouri
Insurance companies are allowed a reasonable amount of time to investigate. What they’re not allowed to do is refuse or delay payment without a reasonable basis. Missouri law (RSMo Section 375.420) recognizes claims for vexatious refusal to pay, which can make an insurer liable for penalties and attorney’s fees when it refuses to pay a valid claim without reasonable cause. This certainly won’t be something that you can pursue just because your case has been delayed, but it might be worth speaking to a lawyer about.
How a Lawyer Changes The Timeline
When you hire a lawyer after an accident, it often changes the entire dynamic and timeline of your insurance claim. Insurance companies typically become more diligent and responsive because they know they’re dealing with someone who understands the law, the claims process, and common insurance tactics.
A St. Louis personal injury lawyer can help move your claim along by following up for you, assembling critical documents quickly, and pushing for timely responses. With legal help on your side, you’re less likely to face drawn-out negotiations or ignored calls, and if the insurer attempts to drag out the process, your lawyer can take the appropriate steps.
If you have any questions about the process or need help moving things along with the insurance company, call us today at (314) 300-6260 to schedule a free consultation.