Insurance companies can have legitimate reasons to investigate a claim, but repeated or unexplained delays can be a red flag. When an insurer already has the information it needs yet continues to stall, the delay may be less about investigation and more about reducing your payout.
An auto crash lawyer in Chicago will fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Call (312) 701-0090 today.
When Does a Delay Start to Look Like Bad Faith?
Insurers are allowed to investigate fault, coverage, medical treatment, and damages before making a payment decision. Concern grows when the insurer cannot explain what it is still investigating or keeps extending the process without making meaningful progress. Warning signs can include:
- Repeated requests for records or documents that were already provided.
- Long periods without substantive responses from the adjuster.
- Changing explanations for why the claim cannot be resolved.
- Failure to evaluate important medical or accident evidence.
- Refusing to discuss settlement even after responsibility becomes reasonably clear.
- Delaying a decision while continuing to ask for information that has little connection to the disputed issue.
These actions can be a sign that the insurance company is delaying the claim without a valid reason. Keep copies of correspondence and insurer requests to help document how long delays lasted and what explanations the adjuster provided.
Why Would an Insurance Company Benefit From Delaying a Claim?
A delay can create more pressure on you. Medical bills (for ambulances, surgeries, scans, etc…), missed work, and other expenses may be accumulating, which can make settling the case more appealing. An insurer can benefit when that pressure makes you more willing to accept less compensation than the claim is worth.
Delays can also give the insurer more time to look for reasons to reduce or deny payment. The adjuster may question the severity of your injuries (TBI vs a broken bone) and whether all of your medical treatment relates to the accident, or argue that you share responsibility for the crash.
What If the Insurance Company Makes a Very Small Offer After Months of Delay?
Even after months of waiting, an insurer may make an offer that covers only part of your medical expenses while giving little consideration to lost income, future care, ongoing pain, or lasting limitations. You can ask the adjuster to explain how the insurer calculated the offer and which parts of your claim it disputes. Reviewing that explanation against your medical records, bills, wage information, and other documented losses can help identify where the insurer is unfairly reducing the value of the claim.
You do not have to accept their offer and can continue negotiating. If the insurer will not reconsider its position despite supporting evidence, a Chicago personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether further negotiations or a lawsuit is the better way to pursue fair compensation.
Get Help With an Insurance Claim That Keeps Stalling
If an insurance company continues delaying your car accident claim without giving you a clear explanation, Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC can review how it is being handled and discuss your options.
Call (312) 701-0090 or contact us online for a free consultation.