How Long Does It Take State Farm To Settle Claims in Kentucky?
How long does State Farm take to settle a claim? There is no definitive answer to that question. State Farm claims can take weeks, months, or even years to resolve, depending on a variety of factors. State Farm might even try to delay the resolution of your claim if they believe they can wear you down that way. Nevertheless, most claims resolve within a few months.
First-Party Claims vs. Third-Party Claims
A first-party claim is a claim you file against your State Farm policy. If you suffer a physical injury, for example, you might file a claim against your State Farm supplemental health insurance policy.
A third-party claim is a claim you file against an at-fault party’s liability insurance policy. You are not even a party to this policy–you are a third-party beneficiary. You might file a third-party claim against another driver’s liability insurance policy, for example.
Notification
The first step in resolving a State Farm claim is to inform the company of your claim. One way of doing this is by telephone. The State Farm claims phone number is 800-SF-CLAIM (800-732-5246). It operates 24/7. You can also file online, you can contact your local State Farm agent, or you can use the State Farm mobile app.
Your Demand Letter
A demand letter is optional, but in many cases it is a practical necessity. Your demand letter should describe your claim, provide supporting documents, explain why State Farm is liable, demand a certain amount of compensation, and give State Farm a reasonable time (maybe 30 days) to respond. Ask your lawyer to draft a demand letter for you.
The Investigative Phase
State Farm will investigate your claim using your medical records, interviews with witnesses, consultations with experts (perhaps), police reports, and other evidence to determine the validity and value of your claim.
The thoroughness and timeline of this investigation often depend on the complexity of your case and the availability of information. At this stage, an investigation probably won’t take more than a few weeks.
The Negotiation Phase
Negotiation is a skill that not all people share equally. Nevertheless, the success of your claim depends on how well you (or your lawyer) negotiate your claim. The length of time you spend negotiating depends on the size and complexity of your claim, the extent to which critical issues are in dispute, and the negotiating skills of each party. The negotiation phase might last several weeks.
Litigation
You may or may not need to take your claim to court. There are reasons why you might want to file a lawsuit even if you don’t want to go to trial. You can:
- Pressure the defendant to settle that way;
- Beat Kentucky’s draconian one-year statute of limitations; and
- Gain access to the powerful pretrial discovery evidence-gathering process.
Even if you do go to court, however, you probably won’t end up at trial. Nevertheless, litigation might add a year to your claim, especially if you complete the pretrial discovery evidence-gathering process.
Special Case: Kentucky’s “Choice No-Fault” Auto Insurance System
When it comes to car accidents, Kentucky operates a “choice/no-fault” system whereby Kentucky drivers are subject to a no-fault auto insurance system unless they opt out in writing. Under Kentucky’s no-fault system, you rely on your own personal injury insurance up to $10,000.
If medical expenses exceed $1,000 or you suffer a “serious” injury, you can file a lawsuit or a third-party insurance case. Once an insurer receives reasonable proof of loss, it must pay PIP benefits within 30 days.
Do You Need a Kentucky Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you believe you might have a valid personal injury claim that is covered by a State Farm policy, you might need a lawyer to help you obtain the full value of your claim. Choose a law firm that operates on a contingency fee basis, which means no attorney’s fees, ever, unless you win your claim.
Contact the Lousville Truck Accident Law Firm of HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in Louisville today. We have two convenient locations in Louisville and Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
We proudly serve Jefferson County, Kenton County, and its surrounding areas:
HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers – Louisville, KY Office
600 W Main St Ste 200
Louisville, KY, 40202
(502) 540-5700
HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Mitchell, KY Office
2380 Grandview Dr
Fort Mitchell, KY, 41017
(859) 578-4444