how long should an insurance claim take to be completed?

Question

My kichen was flooded 10 weeks age and the insurance company keeps changing th goals posts and askeing for different things. is this right??

Answer 1

Generally speaking, depending on the scale of your claim, you should expect the company firstly to validate the claim - that an event has occurred that is covered under your policy - then to assess the damage and agree with you what is to be done under the terms of your policy, and that this process should be completed within a matter of weeks at most. As more information comes to light on the nature and scale of the claim the procedure might have to vary. Make sure the company sticks to the documented procedures and standards of service it gave you when you took out the policy. Bear in mind that the machinery does need prodding to keep it moving - eg regular phone calls to inquire about progress and plans - and that involvement of subcontractors complicates and slows things a lot. Patience and a cooperative attitude are most likely to pay off.

Answer 2

The time it takes for a claim to be processed depends on the size and circumstances of the claim. Unless the insurance company believes that the claim is suspect it should really have been sorted out by now. If it continues firstly i would ask to speak to one of the claims managers within the respective insurance company. If this fails then threaten, not aggresivly, them with the financial obudsmen. This organisation is part of the FSA. Basically if you earn or the isured item is less than £1million pounds then they will take on the claim on your behalf.

Answer 3

Literally could you tell us what happened? That would help. Changing the goals posts doesn't tell us what the hold up is. There's no deadline for claims to be handled. There are guidelines that relate to investigating and time lines for responses and requirements to be diligently trying to resolve claims, but they can take a while if the insurance company has a justified reason for the delays.

Answer 4

Hire an insurance adjuster and the insurance co will pay his fees.
He will fight your claim for you and estimate the best costs for you.
My home burnt to the ground Aug 2005 lost 35 years of possessions still waiting for the contents to be settled.
Hope you have better luck than we have.
Yes we all know they are in business to make money but if you pay for a service you should get what is owed to you. Most of them are outright crooks and have no business ethics. Especially AXA

Answer 5

There is nothing to gain by the insurance company in delaying your claim. In fact, it is just the opposite. The longer a claim remains open the more costly it is for the company.

If your claim has been open for what you consider to be too long, then contact the adjusters manager and express your opinion. They want the claim closed too, but have a responsibility to investigate the claim in order to pay for what they are required to and to rule out any fraud.

Answer 6

No, it seems a bit much. It's time to call your agent, and ask them to intervene - get a list of all the outstanding items, and wrap this claim up.

Answer 7

I expect you had a kitchen like a derelict garden shed, and are now trying to get the insurance company to fit you a Cordon Bleu styled replacement, and I expect they are wise to you, and all the other numpties who try it on regularly.

Answer 8

no, depends who your company is. if they delay tell them your fed up with it, and you will write to the insurance ombudsman.

Answer 9

its very easy ..
u cannot wait for a long time..

Answer 10

how long do you have to live? could take a long,long,long time. they don't part with money easily!