Detailed answer
When you send a demand to an insurance company in New Hampshire, there is no single, fixed number of days that guarantees when you will receive an initial monetary offer. Several factors control timing: the type of claim (property vs. bodily injury), how complete your demand packet is, the insurers investigation needs, and whether the insurer must obtain medical records, repair estimates, or liability evidence. Generally, you can expect an initial response or acknowledgement within days to a few weeks and a substantive offer (or a request for more information) within several weeks to a few months.
What a typical timeline looks like (hypothetical example)
Hypothetical facts: You submit a demand package after a moderate automobile collision that includes medical bills, a summary of injuries, photos of damage, and a demand number.
- 0–7 business days: Insurer acknowledges receipt. Many companies send an automated acknowledgment or an adjuster contact within a week.
- 7–30 days: Investigation phase. The insurer reviews the claim file, orders medical records, may request an IME (independent medical exam), and obtains repair estimates or bills. If liability is contested, investigation can take longer.
- 30–90 days: Initial substantive response or offer. If your demand is clear and supported by records, insurers often present an initial settlement offer in this window. Complex injuries, large demands, or disputed liability can push this timeline out to 90 days or more.
- 90+ days: Extended investigation or negotiation. Expect longer waits if the insurer needs litigation discovery, multiple experts, or if they pursue mediation. Insurers sometimes make interim low offers and increase them during negotiation.
Factors that shorten or lengthen the timeline
- Completeness of your demand: A demand that includes verified medical records, clear billing summaries, and repair estimates helps an adjuster evaluate your file faster.
- Liability clarity: Clear at-fault scenarios (e.g., a police report showing the other driver was at fault) speed up offers. Disputed fault slows or stalls offers.
- Severity and complexity of injuries: Soft-tissue injuries may be evaluated sooner; surgeries and long-term impairment often require more time and documentation.
- Insurer resources and backlog: Some carriers resolve routine property claims quickly but take longer with bodily injury demands.
- Policy limits and multiple carriers: If several policies or excess carriers might pay, coordination adds time.
What you can do to speed things up
- Send a clear, organized demand package: chronology, medical records, bills, lost-wage proof, photos, repair estimates, and a concise demand amount with a damages breakdown.
- Give the insurer a specific date by which you expect a response (e.g., “Please respond within 30 days”) while remaining reasonable.
- Follow up in writing when you dont hear back. A short email or certified letter reminding them of outstanding items often prompts action.
- Respond promptly if the insurer asks for more records or authorizations; delays on your end extend the timeline.
When delays may be actionable or require a complaint
New Hampshire law and the New Hampshire Insurance Department expect insurers to handle claims in good faith and without unnecessary delay. If an insurer repeatedly ignores reasonable demands or clearly fails to investigate or communicate, you can file a complaint with the New Hampshire Insurance Department for consumer assistance and investigation. Contact the Department when communication has stalled or when you suspect a bad-faith denial.
New Hampshire Department of Insurance (consumer help): https://www.nh.gov/insurance/consumers/
For statutes and to look up insurance laws and rules, use the New Hampshire Revised Statutes online: https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/
When to get an attorney involved
- If the insurer denies liability without explanation or evidence.
- If settlement offers are unreasonably low given your documentation and injury severity.
- If you are close to the statute of limitations or other filing deadlines and need to preserve rights.
- If the file requires negotiation with multiple insurers, high stakes, or potential lawsuit preparation.
Consulting an experienced local attorney early can protect your rights, ensure deadlines are met, and often accelerates meaningful settlement discussions. An attorney can also evaluate whether an insurers conduct rises to a bad-faith claim under New Hampshire law and advise on next steps.
Helpful Hints
- Keep a single folder (electronic and/or paper) with all demand documents, medical records, photos, correspondence, and bills.
- Include a short cover letter with your demand that summarizes damages and lists attachments.
- Set a realistic but firm response deadline in your demand (commonly 30 days) and note you will consider further steps if unanswered.
- Document every call or contact with the insurer: date, time, person spoken to, and summary of the conversation.
- Dont sign releases or accept payment without understanding whether the payment is full and final; request written settlement terms for any offer.
- If you suspect unreasonable delay or denial, contact the New Hampshire Insurance Department for consumer guidance: https://www.nh.gov/insurance/consumers/
Disclaimer: This information is educational only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not a substitute for consulting an attorney about your specific situation. If you have a time-sensitive claim or complex injuries, seek local legal advice promptly.