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From car and truck accidents to medical and legal malpractice, numerous scenarios exist where an individual or their family members could receive extensive injuries or even wrongful death. Like a domino effect, this one bad situation leads to other negatives like wage or job loss, unaffordable mounting medical bills, and sometimes irreversible mental, emotional, and physical strain.
You can lighten the burden in this situation by sending out a demand letter. However, the insurance demand letter response time can take weeks over even months. We have over 250 years of combined experience at Aiello, Harris, Abate, Law Group PC, so if you’re looking for dedicated attorneys offering personal injury law in New Jersey, who have answers to your demand letter concerns, trust us.
Why Should You File a Demand Letter?
After being in an accident, you should send a demand letter to your insurance company or any liable party, asking for compensation. Some liable parties include a business or property owner, a manufacturing company for supplying faulty products, or other individuals who put your safety at risk. Some negligent actions or accidents, to name a few, include:
- Automobile and pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Legal malpractice
- Product liability
- Wrongful injury or death
This written statement explains to the recipient that you’re taking legal action against them on behalf of yourself or another injury victim. Your statement can outline what the compensation would cover, such as property damage, medical expenses, and relief for pain and emotional ailments.
Unfortunately, the state of New Jersey doesn’t require the demand letter recipient to respond, which makes waiting for it a frustrating experience. If you don’t know what to expect, let’s look at what determines the response time.
What Determines the Response Time for a Demand Letter?
Many factors affect the insurance demand letter response time, some contributing to shorter response times of as little as a month and others invoking no response altogether. For instance, if you have ongoing communication with the insurance company, meaning this isn’t the first time you’re reaching out to them for your recent injuries, there’s a better chance of them responding promptly.
On the other hand, if you had medical conditions or underwent treatment before the accident, this affects your claim, causing the insurance company to want to conduct further investigations before replying to your demand letter. This process delays your response time, sometimes for months. Other factors that affect the duration of the response time include:
- The amount you’re asking for in your claim: The larger the amount, the more investigating the company will do to determine whether you require a payout.
- The insurance company size: If you’re partnering with a large and well-known insurance provider, they probably have more resources than a smaller one. In that case, they’ll likely respond to your claim faster and pay out favorably.
- The size of your insurance policy: A high policy limit means you’re eligible for a larger payout. However, because the company has a higher financial liability with larger policies, the more it’s reluctant to pay. They’ll take longer to respond as they peruse your claim and try to lower your compensation amount.
What Are Some Responses You May Hear?
If your insurance demand letter response time doesn’t end with the insurance company sweeping your claim under the rug, you’ll receive one of three responses that most likely stem from the above factors.
In the rare but best-case scenario, the insurance company positively responds to your demand letter. Your provider compensates you for the amount you asked for without debate, accepting financial liability. Still, there are times when rounds of negotiations take place before settling on a payout price or filing a lawsuit if they won’t go as high as you deem fit.
The most unfortunate response is a rejection. Rejections don’t always mean you don’t qualify for compensation since companies frequently dismiss valid claims, especially large ones. Rather than let this intimidate you and deter you from moving forward, call an accident attorney to help fight for your case.
When You Feel Your Response Isn’t Reasonable
If personal injury settlements have you wondering about your insurance demand letter response time, call our qualified team with over 60 years of company experience. Whether you’ve gone months without a response or don’t like what you’ve heard, our defensive attorneys know how to handle claim issues and work endlessly to help you receive a different outcome.
For acute attention to detail, determination, and client comfort, call Aiello, Harris, Abate, Law Group PC at (908) 561-5577 for a free attorney consultation in New Jersey.
