What Steps Should You Take if Your Insurance Claim Is Delayed?

If your insurance claim is sitting unresolved longer than you expected, the wait can strain your finances (and your patience). Talk to an East Hartford, CT insurance lawyer to get things moving and make sure you claim all your rights under Connecticut law. 

What Steps Should You Take if Your Insurance Claim Is Delayed?

Know the Policy Inside and Out

Start by pulling out your policy documents and reading the sections that cover claims procedures, timelines, and your duties after a loss. Most policies spell out how soon you must report the event, what proof of loss you need to submit, and how the company will investigate. If something is unclear, write down the exact page and paragraph so you can refer to it later. 

This review can help you figure out whether the delay is coming from something on your end or the company’s. And if you’re having issues understanding your policy (and many people do: policies are deliberately written in vague and confusing language), your lawyer will know how to read and interpret it.

Keep Track of All Communication

Record the date, time, name and title of the person you spoke with and a short summary of what was said every time you talk to the insurer on the phone. Save every email, letter, and form you send or receive. If you spoke by phone, follow up the same day with a brief email that confirms the conversation. 

When you’ve got written records, that makes it harder for anyone to claim later that information was never supplied or that deadlines were never mentioned.

Contact the Adjuster for an Update

Once your log is current, contact (or, even better, have your lawyer contact) the claims adjuster in writing and ask for a status update. The message should be short and specific and state the claim number, the date you first reported the loss, and the documents you have already submitted. 

Then ask two direct questions: 

1. What additional information, if any, is still needed? 
2. When can I expect a decision or further action?

Request that the reply come in writing within a set number of business days. Send the letter by certified mail or by email with a read receipt so you have proof of delivery.

Escalate

If the adjuster still fails to move the claim forward, it’s time to escalate. Your lawyer can write politely but firmly and ask to be put in touch with the adjuster’s supervisor or the claims department manager. 

When Things Go Too Far

Connecticut law treats certain patterns of delay as unfair claim settlement practices. Insurers may not fail to acknowledge your communications and must affirm or deny coverage within a reasonable time after receiving proof of loss. They also have to provide you with a reasonable explanation when a claim is denied. 

If the insurer fails in these duties, talk to your lawyer about whether it’s time to file a complaint and what options there may be for bringing a lawsuit. 

Talk to an East Hartford, CT Insurance Lawyer Today

For help with your insurance issue, call the Adler Law Group, LLC here in Hartford at 959-256-2177. We have more than 25 years of experience successfully dealing with insurance law issues here in the larger Hartford area. 

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