How Long Do UM/UIM Claims Take to Settle in Illinois?

An underinsured or uninsured motorist claim in Illinois can take weeks to months to settle, depending on the circumstances of the accident. The length of time it takes to settle a case like this depends on the available evidence and the steps the insurance company decides to take to expedite the claim, or not.

Take into consideration a few factors that play a role in how long UM/UIM claims take to settle in Illinois, and speak with a Chicago uninsured and underinsured motorist attorney about your case. Schedule your free consultation today.

Typical UM/UIM Claims Process in Illinois

In most situations, a claim will go through several steps. You can expect an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim in Illinois to navigate the process as follows:

• The insurance company receives the claim from the victim. They then begin investigating the claim. This process takes 1 to 30 days.
• Medical care and documentation of any records occur. The victim must document all of the losses they have until they reach full recovery, or the maximum recovery expected. This can take 30 to 60 days after the accident to resolve complex medical injuries.
• After you file a claim with the insurance company of the at-fault driver, you can expect a period of investigation, questioning, and negotiation. This can occur in the 60-day to up to 90-day range after the accident. If the driver does not have any insurance, that step does not occur. You file a claim with your own insurance company with your uninsured motorist coverage.
• Once the insurance company of the at-fault party decides on how much it will pay, and issues you a settlement amount, you can then file a claim with your uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist policy for the leftover damages. It can take up to 120 days after the accident for this process to resolve.

There are often situations where claims drag on longer. For example, the insurance company may dispute its responsibility for paying for your losses. They may also offer a settlement offer much sooner, within a matter of weeks after the accident. That “too fast” settlement offer may not be enough to cover your losses.

Proving Your Losses and Expediting the UI/UIM Claims Process in Illinois

By working with a Chicago uninsured and underinsured motorist attorney, you learn what your rights are.

This can speed up the process. Your attorney will help you in several key ways:

• Create a clear claim backed by evidence. This minimizes delays from insurance companies.
• Negotiate with skill to reduce the process of going back and forth with the insurance company.
• Aid in locating the at-fault drivers and communicating directly with insurance providers to avoid mistakes, oversights, and costly delays.

These are some of the ways your lawyer can help you navigate this process. The process of securing compensation after such an accident is more drawn out and complex. Yet, there could be additional steps, including filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for losses. Let your attorney lead you through this process.

The Length of Time It Takes Depends on Many Factors

The UM/UIM claims process can take months to settle in Illinois. Throughout that time, you may be waiting for financial help for medical bills, meeting youar financial obligations, and resolving claims against you. Speed up the process by hiring an attorney from Taxman, Pollock & Bekkerman to guide you through the legal process and hold insurance companies accountable. Call today to schedule a free consultation.