Detailed answer

This guide explains what to do if your insurance company refuses to update you about your claim or threatens to close it. It assumes you start with no legal background. This is general information and not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney for help with your particular situation.

1. Know your starting points: your policy and dates

• Find your policy documents and the claims-related endorsements. Note the claim number, the date you reported the loss, and any deadlines the policy lists (like deadlines to file suit or to submit proof of loss).
• Track every contact: date, time, person you spoke with, what they said, and any reference or claim numbers. If you exchange emails or letters, keep copies.

2. Request a written status update

If the insurer stops communicating, send a concise, dated written request for a status update. Use email and certified mail (return receipt requested) if possible. In the letter:

• Identify the policy, claim number, loss date, and what you are asking for (status, expected decision date, or reason for threatened closure).
• Request a written explanation if the insurer intends to deny or close the claim and ask for the specific reasons and what additional information (if any) would allow the claim to remain open.
• Give a reasonable deadline for reply (for example, 10–14 calendar days).

3. Keep documenting and preserve evidence

Keep copies of all estimates, repair invoices, photos, proof of loss, medical bills (if applicable), and correspondence. Good documentation strengthens your position if you escalate the matter to the state regulator or a lawyer.

4. Use internal appeals and appraisal clauses

Many policies include an internal appeal process, and some contain appraisal or dispute-resolution clauses (especially in property claims). Read your policy carefully and follow the required steps and timelines. If you miss the policy’s internal steps, you could weaken later legal options.

5. Contact the North Dakota Insurance Department

If the insurer does not respond or you believe it is handling your claim unfairly, file a consumer complaint with the North Dakota Insurance Department. The Department can investigate complaints and may ask the insurer to explain its conduct. File online or by mail; include copies of your policy, the claim file documents, and your written status requests.

North Dakota Insurance Department – Consumer Complaints: https://www.nd.gov/ndins/consumers/complaints

6. Understand the legal backdrop

North Dakota insurance law, administrative rules, and the Insurance Department’s oversight regulate insurer behavior. For the statutory framework for insurance generally in North Dakota, see North Dakota Century Code, Title 26.1:

https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t26-1

Those statutes and related administrative rules may include requirements for fair claim handling and consumer protections. If an insurer’s refusal to communicate or threatened closure amounts to a refusal to investigate or an unreasonable delay, it can form the basis for a complaint or, in some cases, a legal claim. Because the exact rights and remedies depend on facts and time limits, talk to an attorney about potential bad-faith, breach-of-contract, or statutory claims.

7. Consider next steps if the insurer still won’t cooperate

• Escalate within the insurer: ask to speak with a supervisor or the claims manager.
• Send a formal demand letter stating the facts and the relief you seek; keep it professional and factual.
• File a consumer complaint with the North Dakota Insurance Department (link above).
• If the claim involves a clear policy breach, significant unpaid amounts, or possible bad faith, consult a licensed North Dakota attorney familiar with insurance claims.
• Consider alternative forums like appraisal, mediation, or small claims court when appropriate and available under your policy and the amount in dispute.

8. When to hire a lawyer

Talk to an attorney if:

• The insurer denies coverage or closes a large claim without a clear basis.
• The company repeatedly ignores documentation or refuses to investigate.
• You receive an unreasonable reservation of rights or a partial payment without explanation.
• There may be significant out-of-pocket loss, or potential legal deadlines (statute of limitations) are approaching.

An attorney can review your policy, preserve remedies, send demand letters, and file suit if needed.

Helpful Hints

• Always get key communications in writing. If you speak by phone, follow up with a short email summarizing what was said and who you spoke with.
• Keep a single organized folder (digital or print) with all claim-related items and label each item by date and content.
• If the insurer asks for documents, deliver them promptly and keep proof of delivery.
• If the insurer threatens to close the claim, ask for the exact reason in writing and the date of closure. Often that will buy you time to provide any missing documentation.
• Before making repairs, check policy requirements. For large losses, notify the insurer and follow their instructions about mitigation and estimates.
• Filing a complaint with the North Dakota Insurance Department does not replace legal action but can lead to a regulator review and sometimes faster action by the insurer.
• Act early. Important deadlines (appeals, proof-of-loss, or statutes of limitation) can bar claims if you wait too long.