How long does to take to get a offer on a UIM claim

Every case, in my experience, is fact specific. Some offers are relatively quick, perhaps a matter of days; some are much longer, months or years; and some never come. Did you call and follow-up? If so, what did they tell you; if not, suggest you do. Depending upon the facts of your case, consider retaining an attorney. Studies show, with exceptions few are far, injured consumers receive offers more inline with reasonable than without an attorney. Use a specialist, like anything else in life. Remember discounted lawyers are just that. Good luck.

I'm afraid the window can be huge depending on how tricky your case is, and how ornery the insurer is. But the phrase that caught my eye is "once all information and documents has been provided to them." That's huge. If they've told you, "Thanks, this is all we need," then it shouldn't be more than a month to get a first offer. But until they say that, they can keep on asking for more and more stuff even if you completed their last todo list, and it is hard to start the clock on them cleanly. But UM/UIM claims can trigger a piece of leverage for you called "Bad Faith Insurance Practices." If you start to get the feeling that they're not treating you right, you're gut is probably correct. If so, you'll need an attorney. It is tricky stuff. If they treat you right without needing an attorney, wonderful. If not, feel free to holler and we can talk over your details. Free of charge, of course. Marc

I hate to be debbie downer, but because of the Brainard opinion from the Texas Supreme Court, insurance companies in Texas basically have no obligation to pay a UM/UIM claim until such time the amount of the alleged injury has been determined by the trier of fact. In simple terms, they can offer you nothing and you then are forced to sue them and have a trial. Once a verdict is received, so long as they pay you within 30 days from that point, there is very little chance of a bad faith claim against your carrier.

If they have acknowledged in writing that they have everything they need from you and have not requested anything else, then you should have an answer within 30 days. Of course, they can and often do ask for an time extension beyond 30 days for various reasons, including to ask you for more information. It is unfortunate in Texas that the Supreme Court has made a series of anti consumer rulings that negatively affect your rights against your own insurance company. Your insurance company truly does not "owe" you anything until such time as you have sued them and obtained a jury verdict against them. Up until that point, anything they offer you is done so out of the "goodness of their heart" and will likely be nothing more than a fraction of what your case is actually worth. Should you find yourself in a situation as I describe, I would be happy to anwer any further questions you have. Good luck. Jerry Andrews [email protected] 214-221-5800