How Long Is Too Long For A Homeowner Insurance Claim

logo by Editorial Staff | Posted on August 17th, 2022

After the insurance company approves your claim, depending on the laws in your state, it may take a few days to several months to receive your money.


Liability claims that are expensive or complex can take longer to process than simpler claims for property damage. If your claim is not paid within the period specified by your state, you may file a complaint with your state’s insurance commissioner or seek legal counsel. 

insurance policy

According to the insurance laws in your state, here is a breakdown of how long your insurance company must wait before paying a claim.

StateAfter accepting a claim, insurers must make payment within …
Alabama30 days
Alaska30 days
Arizona30 days
Arkansas10 days
California30 days
Colorado30 to 45 days
Connecticut30 days
DelawareNo set time limit
District of ColumbiaNo set time limit
Florida90 days
Georgia10 days
Hawaii30 days
IdahoNo set time limit
Illinois30 days
IndianaNo set time limit
Iowa30 days
KansasNo set time limit
Kentucky30 days
Louisiana30 days
MaineNo set time limit
Maryland15 days
MassachusettsNo set time limit
Michigan60 days
Minnesota5 days
MississippiNo set time limit
MissouriNo set time limit
Montana30 to 60 days
Nebraska15 days
Nevada30 days
New Hampshire5 days
New Jersey30 to 90 days
New MexicoNo set time limit
New York5 days
North Carolina10 days
North DakotaNo set time limit
Ohio10 days
OklahomaNo set time limit
OregonNo set time limit
PennsylvaniaNo set time limit
Rhode Island30 days
South Carolina20 to 40 days
South DakotaNo set time limit
Tennessee30 days
Texas5 days
Utah30 days
Vermont10 days
VirginiaNo set time limit
Washington15 days
West Virginia15 days
Wisconsin30 days
WyomingNo set time limit

Even if your state doesn’t mandate a deadline for a payout of claims, it nevertheless generally mandates that insurers evaluate claims within a set time frame following receipt, typically between 15 and 30 days. 

Most states also have laws governing how quickly after receiving a claim, usually between 30 and 45 days, an insurance company must inform the claimant whether the claim has been approved or denied.

For further information on the precise guidelines for processing claims, check the website of your state’s insurance department. 

How to speed up the claims settlement process

Legal Grit, a homeowner’s insurance claim attorney, provided us with some helpful processes. Here are some strategies for quickening the claims settlement procedure:

  • File your claim as soon as possible. The majority of home insurance policies contain deadlines by which you must submit a claim. Additionally, the sooner you file it, the more recent the occurrence will be in your memory and the more details you’ll be able to give your insurance provider. 
  • Keep in touch with your claims adjuster regularly. You should be reachable by your insurance provider if they need to get more information about your claim or ask questions. This can entail scheduling a home inspection to determine the damage’s cost. You can submit documents, make appointments, and check the status of your claim online or using the mobile app of many insurance companies. 
  • Keep track of the costs and payments related to your claim. Keep the receipts for both smaller and larger repairs, as well as any immediate costs you incur after a loss, such as when you need to board up a broken window. Prepare your home inventory. 
  • Register to get your cash for claim settlement electronically. You won’t have to wait for your check to arrive in the mail this way. Your claim settlement payout could arrive in your bank account as soon as 48 hours after your claim has been processed if you have the choice to do so. 

Frequently asked questions

How long does an insurance claim take?

Depending on the complexity of the claim, the company’s policy, and the laws of your state, filing a homeowner’s insurance claim may take a month or longer. 

Some states demand that home insurers recognize the claim within a specific time frame and then decide whether to accept or reject the claim after a particular number of days. Other states are less precise, requiring insurers to handle the claim within a “reasonable” time. 

How long does an insurance company have to respond to a claim?

According to state law, home insurance providers might or might not be required to respond to a claim within a specific time frame.

States frequently require an insurer to respond within 10 or 30 days. However, the exact time range varies by state. 

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Editorial Staff

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