How Long Do You Have to File an Insurance Claim? Deadlines and Time Limits
Why You Can Trust EverQuote
EverQuote powers millions of shopper requests every month, teaming up with industry-leading insurance specialists to address real-world challenges faced by people every day. We partner with the largest insurance providers in the nation, and our content is carefully crafted by experts and reviewed by licensed insurance agents for accuracy and relevance.
Have you recently been in a car accident or suffered damage to your vehicle due to extreme weather conditions? If so, you might be wondering how long do you have to file an insurance claim. The quick answer is likely 30 days, although mitigating circumstances can play a role. Regardless, early filing is always in your best interest. This guide will help you understand how to file a claim with insurance, time limits for filing, state deadlines for filing a personal injury or property damage claim, mistakes to avoid, and other relevant issues.
Filing an Insurance Claim
You'll need to file an insurance claim in the wake of an accident or weather-related issue. Insurance companies take claims reports, examine the potential cost of repairs, and then let you know what your auto insurance will cover.
Time Limits
Some insurance companies require you to file a report within 30 days, while others simply ask for a prompt filing. You can check your insurance policy to determine a timeline. However, you never want to leave this until the last minute. If you wait too long, your claim may be denied because assessing the damage is too hard.
Statutory Deadlines by State
States vary in their deadlines for filing a personal injury or property damage claim.
State | Personal Injury Claim | Property Damage Claim |
---|---|---|
Alabama | 2 years | 2 years |
Alaska | 2 years | 2 years |
Arizona | 2 years | 2 years |
Arkansas | 3 years | 3 years |
California | 2 Years | 3 years |
Colorado | 3 years | 3 years |
Connecticut | 2 years | 2 years |
Delaware | 2 years | 2 years |
Florida | 4 years | 4 years |
Georgia | 2 years | 4 years |
Hawaii | 2 years | 2 years |
Idaho | 2 years | 2 years |
Illinois | 2 years | 5 years |
Indiana | 2 years | 2 years |
Iowa | 2 years | 5 years |
Kansas | 2 years | 2 years |
Kentucky | 2 years | 2 years |
Louisiana | 1 year | 1 year |
Maine | 6 years | 6 years |
Maryland | 3 years | 3 years |
Massachusetts | 3 years | 3 years |
Michigan | 3 years | 3 years |
Minnesota | 6 years | 6 years |
Mississippi | 3 years | 3 years |
Missouri | 5 years | 5 years |
Montana | 3 years | 2 years |
Nebraska | 4 years | 4 years |
Nevada | 2 years | 3 years |
New Hampshire | 3 years | 3 years |
New Jersey | 2 years | 6 years |
New Mexico | 3 years | 4 years |
New York | 3 years | 3 years |
North Carolina | 3 years | 3 years |
North Dakota | 2 years | 2 years |
Ohio | 2 years | 2 years |
Oklahoma | 2 years | 2 years |
Oregon | 2 years | 6 years |
Pennsylvania | 2 years | 2 years |
Rhode Island | 3 years | 10 years |
South Carolina | 3 years | 3 years |
South Dakota | 3 years | 3 years |
Tennessee | 1 year | 3 years |
Texas | 2 years | 2 years |
Utah | 4 years | 3 years |
Vermont | 3 years | 3 years |
Virginia | 2 years | 5 years |
Washington | 3 years | 3 years |
West Virginia | 2 years | 2 years |
Wisconsin | 3 years | 3 years |
Wyoming | 4 years | 4 years |
Washington, D.C. | 3 years | 3 years |
Source: WalletHub
What Is the Consequence of Missing a Filing Deadline?
The penalties for missing a filing deadline can be severe.
Impact on Claim Validity
If you miss the filing deadline, your claim may be denied because it’s no longer possible to show the validity of your claim. For instance, if you wait three months after an accident to file an insurance claim, your insurer may not be able to determine the source of the damage to your car.
Potential Financial Losses
You may also face financial losses when you fail to file a timely claim. Your insurer may deny the claim and refuse to pay for repairs. Filing immediately after an incident or accident is your best bet.
Initiate the Claims Process
Starting the claims process is relatively simple, although you should carve out some time to review your policy and begin making calls or submitting an online claim.
Identify the Insurance Company Responsible
You should contact your insurance company if you were the at-fault driver or received damage due to a weather event or vandalism. However, if another driver was the instigator, then their insurance company would likely make the payout. In either case, letting your insurance company know what happened is helpful.
Actions After an Accident
Take action immediately after an accident while the incident is fresh. The actions you take now can make a difference in your long-term payout. First, call the police to report the accident or issue. If you need to file a claim after a flood, it is essential to understand what is covered by insurance and what is not.
Gather Documents
The next step is to gather any documents needed. This can include your insurance information and that of the other driver, as well as their name, phone number, and address. Take photos of your car and the other car. Finally, make sure you get a copy of the police report.
Contact Witnesses
If there are any witnesses to the accident, collect their contact information as well since it may be needed to support your insurance claim.
Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities
Reviewing your insurance policy will help you understand your rights and responsibilities when filing a claim.
Policyholder Rights
In general, your rights include choosing an auto repair shop, receiving reasonable compensation for damages, and the ability to contest a denial. Your policy may spell out additional rights as well.
Filing Responsibilities
Your responsibilities as a policyholder are to report accidents or incidents promptly, to provide accurate details and evidence, and to pay any applicable deductibles.
What Makes a Successful Claims Process?
In a successful claims process, everyone is happy and properly compensated. This involves the perfect combination of clear communication with ongoing updates as well as a prompt resolution.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake to avoid is delaying filing a claim. Beyond that, make sure you return calls from insurance adjusters and the police if needed. Provide complete and accurate information.
Streamline Filing
When you file an insurance claim, you can take steps to streamline the process.
Many insurers have a mobile app, which can simplify reporting the claim and receiving updates. It also helps to have everything organized before you file. Finally, don’t be afraid to follow up with your insurer to check on progress.
FAQs
Is there a time limit on making an insurance claim?
+
Do insurance companies have a time limit?
+
How do I know if I am covered when filing a claim?
+
Premiums are sourced from over 30,000 zip codes across 200 insurance companies. We estimate premiums based on public filings for policies seeking 50/100 in liability with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old single female with a good credit score and no history of accidents or violations driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE. We partner with Quadrant Information Services to source our data and assume no unique benefits or discounts are applied for these rates (unless otherwise stated). Your own rates may be different.