Short answer

After you send a written demand to an insurer in Nebraska, you can usually expect an acknowledgement within days to a couple of weeks and an initial substantive response (an offer, denial, or request for more information) within about 2–6 weeks in routine claims. Complex claims, serious injuries, disputed liability, or missing records can push an insurer’s first substantive offer out to 60–90+ days. Some claims never produce a reasonable initial offer and require further negotiation, appraisal, or litigation.

Detailed answer — what typically happens and why timing varies

1) Immediate acknowledgement (0–14 days)

Most insurers will at least acknowledge receipt of a demand or claim soon after it arrives. That acknowledgement may be automated or come from an adjuster. If you don’t get any acknowledgement within 2 weeks, follow up and consider documenting your attempts to contact the insurer.

2) Investigation and file development (1–6 weeks)

After acknowledgement, the insurer opens an investigation. Typical tasks include:

• Reviewing your demand and attachments (medical records, bills, repair estimates).
• Checking policy coverage and limits.
• Contacting the insured and witnesses.
• Ordering independent records, bills, or a recorded statement (sometimes).

If the insurer has everything it needs and liability is clear, an initial offer can come quickly. If records are incomplete or liability is disputed, the investigation takes longer.

3) Reserve-setting and claim valuation (2–6+ weeks)

The insurer will set reserves and value the claim. For bodily-injury claims it often waits until medical care stabilizes so it can estimate future costs. This is why personal-injury demands commonly take longer than property claims.

4) Initial substantive response (2–6 weeks typical; longer if complex)

An initial response can be one of the following: a settlement offer, a low “opening” offer, a denial, or a request for additional documentation. Even when the insurer sends an offer quickly, it is often an opening number intended to start negotiation.

5) Factors that lengthen the timeline

• Serious or ongoing medical treatment (needs more records).
• Disputed liability or shared fault.
• High-value claims that require underwriting or litigation counsel review.
• Multiple insurers or uninsured/underinsured-motorist issues.
• Missing authorizations or late medical records from providers.
• Deliberative insurer practices or backlog at the company.

6) What an initial offer usually means

An initial offer is often a negotiating position, not the insurer’s final best figure. If the insurer believes liability or damages are uncertain, expect a lower opening offer. If liability is clear and damages well-documented, the initial offer may be closer to the claim’s value.

7) If the insurer doesn’t respond or acts unreasonably

Document your communications and consider filing a complaint with the Nebraska Department of Insurance if the insurer unfairly delays or refuses to investigate. The Nebraska Department of Insurance accepts consumer complaints and helps mediate disputes: https://doi.nebraska.gov/consumer/complaints

For general Nebraska insurance law and regulation, see Chapter 44 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?chapter=44

8) When to consider filing a lawsuit

If the insurer refuses to make a reasonable offer after good-faith negotiation, you may need to file suit. Filing a lawsuit becomes more urgent as relevant statutes of limitation near expiration. Because time limits vary by claim type, talk to an attorney early so you do not lose rights.

Helpful Hints — practical steps to speed a timely, fair response

• Send a clear, well-documented demand: include medical records, bills, wage-loss documentation, photos, repair estimates, and a concise demand amount with how you calculated it.
• Provide signed medical authorizations up front (limited releases) so the insurer can obtain records without delay.
• Keep a paper trail: send demands and follow-ups by certified mail or email with delivery/read receipts and save all correspondence.
• Be responsive: quickly provide anything the adjuster requests (billing codes, more records, employer verification) to avoid delays.
• Expect an opening offer: treat it as a starting point for negotiation, not a final valuation.
• Set reasonable deadlines in your demand (e.g., request a substantive response within 30 days) and note that you’ll consider other remedies if no timely reply arrives.
• If an insurer delays or acts in bad faith, use the Nebraska Department of Insurance consumer complaint page: https://doi.nebraska.gov/consumer/complaints
• Talk to an attorney before filing suit — an attorney can preserve your rights and advise on statute-of-limitation issues.

When to call an attorney

• The insurer makes no substantive response within a reasonable period (commonly 30–60 days for routine claims).
• The initial offer is far below documented damages and negotiations stall.
• Liability is seriously disputed and you have strong evidence that the insurer is ignoring it.
• The claim is high-value or involves permanent injuries, complex liability, or multiple insurers.