Insurance Payment Delays – Seeking Advice
I experienced significant damage to my building from a truck collision. After a lot of back and forth, the truck’s insurance company accepted liability and provided me with a general release for the property damage claim, which I needed to sign in order to receive payment. However, it’s been four weeks now, and I still haven’t received any payment. For reference, I have an email confirming that the payment was supposed to be processed approximately two weeks ago.
I’ve attempted to contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company through both emails and phone calls, but they’ve been unresponsive.
I’m looking for guidance on my next steps. Initially, I hesitated to involve my own insurance provider due to the claim being around $20,000.
Do I need to involve my insurance company to expedite the payment process, or to potentially void the release form?
Edit: The claim was filed on October 24, and the release was sent in mid-January.
I’m sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds really frustrating. Here are some steps you could consider taking:
Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications with the insurance company, including emails and phone calls. Note down any promises made and dates of those conversations.
Follow Up: If you haven’t already, send a formal follow-up email or letter to the insurance company requesting an update on your payment. Clearly state that you expect the payment based on the timeline they provided and ask for a specific date when you can expect to receive it.
Contact a Supervisor or Manager: If you’re getting nowhere with the customer service representatives, try to escalate your concerns to a supervisor or manager. Sometimes speaking to someone at a higher level can expedite the process.
State Insurance Regulator: If the insurance company continues to delay payment without a valid reason, consider contacting your state’s department of insurance. They can sometimes assist in resolving disputes and can also investigate if they see a pattern of delay or denial.
Consider Involving Your Insurance: If you’re still not seeing results, involving your insurance company might be necessary. They can help advocate on your behalf, and depending on your policy, they may have options to assist you.
Seek Legal Advice: If all else fails, consulting with an attorney who specializes in insurance claims could be beneficial. They can give you tailored legal advice and potentially help you negotiate or pursue the claim further.
Review the Release Form: Be careful with the release form you signed. Make sure you understand the implications of that document. Consulting with an attorney can help clarify this, especially if you consider bringing your insurance company in.
Taking these steps might help you get a resolution faster, but I hope it doesn’t come to that, and you receive your payment soon. Good luck!