In New York, the general rule for insurers is 15 days to acknowledge and begin, but no deadline to finish. This means insurers must confirm receipt, request what they need, and start investigating the claim within 15 business days, but there’s no set finish line—creating room for delay tactics like repeated document requests or low offers.
If your claim is dragging, a New York Car Accident Lawyer at Richmond Vona can step in, push for timely updates, and protect your rights while you focus on moving forward.
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New York Insurance Claim Investigation Deadlines
Under New York Regulation 216.4-216.6, insurance companies must conduct claim investigations and manage the car accident settlement process in a way that ensures clear communication, fair claim practices, and timely resolution.
- 15 days to acknowledge and start: Within 15 business days of receiving your claim, the insurer must acknowledge it in writing, begin the investigation, and request any necessary information or documents.
- 15 days to decide when there’s no coverage dispute: Once the insurer has the information it needs and decides there’s no coverage dispute, they have 15 business days to accept or deny the claim. A denial must explain why, and an acceptance may still contest the owed amount.
- 30-day delay update and explanation: If the claim isn’t resolved, the insurer must send written updates at least every 30 days explaining the reason for the delay and what is needed to move the claim forward.
Why There’s No Time Limit on New York Insurance Investigations
New York’s rules draw a clear line between starting and finishing an investigation. Insurers must acknowledge your claim, request any needed information, and begin investigating within 15 business days, but there’s no deadline to complete the investigation. This creates a post-acknowledgement gap, even after the carrier confirms receipt and states it has what it needs. The investigation can continue if questions about liability, damages, coverage, or your ongoing medical treatment remain.
Complex claims tend to take longer. Multiple vehicles or insurers, comparative fault arguments, EUOs/IMEs, and expert reviews can extend the timeline, and insurers often wait for your medical condition to stabilize before valuing the claim. Still, the absence of a finish-by date doesn’t give carriers a free pass to stall. New York requires written status updates every 30 days explaining why the claim is pending and what is needed to move forward.
Red Flags That Your Investigation Is Being Unnecessarily Delayed
Some delays are legitimate, such as waiting for police reports, clarifying coverage, or letting your medical treatment stabilize so damages can be valued. Others are tactics to save money and pressure you to settle low.
Common delay tactics insurance companies will use include:
- Repeated documentation requests or shifting requirements after already fulfilling their original request
- Missing or late 30-day status letters explaining why the claim is still pending
- Ambiguous policy language used to create confusion and limit coverage
“Insurance companies can take weeks or even months to investigate a claim—but that timeline often has less to do with thoroughness and more to do with strategy. The longer they delay, the more they hope evidence will fade and you’ll accept less than you deserve. At Richmond Vona, we don’t let them drag their feet. From day one, we push to keep your case moving, gather our own evidence, and stay ahead of their tactics so you’re in the strongest position possible.”
What To Do When Your Investigation Drags On
If your claim isn’t resolved, New York requires the insurer to send written updates every 30 days explaining why it’s still pending and what is needed to move forward. When carriers ignore required updates, misstate policy terms, demand unnecessary paperwork, or keep the file in limbo without legitimate reasons, that may violate claim-handling rules and warrant legal action.
There are a few actions you can take if an insurer won’t move:
- Attorney escalation: The experienced lawyers at Richmond Vona can press for Regulation 64 compliance, establish concrete timelines, and position your claim for a faster resolution.
- Regulatory complaint: File with the New York Department of Financial Services for unfair claim-handling concerns.
Litigation to protect your rights: If necessary, file a suit to pursue benefits and damages. In some cases, you may seek consequential damages and interest for improper delay.
Let Richmond Vona Attorneys Help You with Your Claim
You shouldn’t have to delay your recovery because an insurer is dragging its feet. Richmond Vona brings dedicated 3-4 person teams, clear communication under the R/V Guarantee, and results-oriented representation backed by over $200 million in recoveries. With offices in Buffalo, Williamsville, Niagara Falls, and Rochester, we serve clients across Western New York and throughout the state.
To schedule a free, fully confidential consultation, please contact us today by calling (716) 500-5678.
