Short answer
After you send a written demand to an insurer in Wyoming, you can typically expect an acknowledgement within 7–14 days, a substantive investigation and initial response within 30–60 days, and an initial settlement offer (if one is coming) within 30–90 days. Complex claims, disputes over liability, or requests for more documentation can extend that timeline to several months.
Detailed Answer — how the timeline usually works in Wyoming
Insurers follow a process after receiving a demand. Understanding each step helps set realistic expectations:
- Acknowledgement (first contact): Most insurers will confirm receipt of your demand within 7–14 days. That confirmation may come by mail, email, or telephone.
- Initial investigation (fact gathering): The insurer reviews the demand, medical records, bills, police reports, photos, and any witness statements. For straightforward property claims this may take 2–4 weeks. For bodily-injury claims with medical treatment still ongoing or complex liability issues, the investigation often takes 4–8 weeks or longer.
- Value assessment: Once the insurer has enough information, a claims examiner or an adjuster assigns a reserve and evaluates value. That internal review can be quick for small claims but takes longer where future medical care, lost wages, or permanent impairment might apply.
- Initial offer: If the insurer intends to make an offer, expect it generally between 30 and 90 days after the demand, depending on complexity. Some claims result in an early offer (within a few weeks), while others require months of negotiation or additional documentation.
- Delays and extensions: If the insurer asks for records, authorizations, or clarification, the clock effectively pauses until you provide the requested materials. Disputes about liability or serious claimed damages commonly push an initial offer beyond 90 days.
Wyoming’s insurance laws and consumer resources require insurers to handle claims fairly. If you want to review Wyoming’s insurance statutes, see Title 26 of the Wyoming Statutes: https://wyoleg.gov/Statutes/Title26. For consumer guidance and how to file complaints, check the Wyoming Department of Insurance: https://insurance.wyo.gov.
Common factors that speed up or slow down an initial offer
- Completeness of your demand packet: A clear, well-documented demand with bills, records, photos, and a concise demand amount speeds review.
- Liability clarity: If liability is uncontested (e.g., a recorded admission or clear traffic crash report), insurers move faster. If liability is disputed, response times lengthen.
- Medical stability: If you are still receiving treatment, insurers may wait until your condition stabilizes (reached “maximum medical improvement”) before making a meaningful offer.
- Policy limits and multiple insureds: Higher-value claims or claims that involve multiple policies/insurers require additional coordination and take longer.
- Volume and staffing: Large insurers sometimes process faster; small or overwhelmed carriers can be slower, especially after storms or mass-loss events.
Recommended follow-up schedule
- Within 1 week: Confirm the insurer received the demand (via phone or certified mail return receipt).
- At 2 weeks: If no acknowledgement, follow up in writing and call the adjuster or claim representative.
- At 4 weeks: Expect an update—either a request for more records, a status update, or an initial response.
- At 6–8 weeks: If there’s been no substantive movement and you’ve provided requested records, escalate to a supervisor or ask for a reason for delay in writing.
- At 8–12 weeks: Consider involving an attorney or filing a complaint with the Wyoming Department of Insurance if delays lack reasonable explanation or the insurer is acting unreasonably.
When to consider hiring an attorney or filing a complaint
Talk to a lawyer or file a complaint with the Wyoming Department of Insurance if any of the following occur:
- The insurer repeatedly ignores or unreasonably delays responding to a complete demand.
- The insurer denies liability without a reasonable investigation.
- The insurer makes a clearly inadequate or “lowball” offer with no reasonable basis.
- There are signs of unfair claims practices (bad faith handling, improper use of medical records, or misrepresentations).
For guidance on filing a consumer complaint, start at the Wyoming Department of Insurance: https://insurance.wyo.gov.
Helpful Hints
- Send your demand package with all supporting documents: itemized medical bills, medical records, wage statements, photos, police reports, and a clear demand number.
- Provide medical authorizations early so the insurer can obtain records directly.
- Use certified mail or another trackable delivery method and keep all written correspondence and notes of phone calls (date, person, summary).
- Set a reasonable response deadline in your demand (commonly 30 days) and state that you will assume no further settlement without an offer or explanation after that period.
- If the insurer requests additional documents, respond promptly; each delay can push the timeline out further.
- Be realistic about timing for serious injuries — settlement can take many months until future care and permanent impairment are known.
- If you think the insurer is handling your claim unfairly, document the conduct and consider filing a complaint with the Wyoming Department of Insurance: https://insurance.wyo.gov.