Timeline for an Initial Insurance Offer After Sending a Demand — California

Short answer: California law does not prescribe a single, fixed deadline for an insurer to make an initial settlement offer after it receives a demand. Insurers must investigate and handle claims promptly and reasonably; in practice, an initial offer often arrives anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months after a complete demand, depending on the claim’s type and complexity.

Detailed answer — what controls the timeline

Two things govern what you can reasonably expect: (1) legal duties that require insurers to investigate and act reasonably and without undue delay, and (2) practical variables that affect how quickly the insurer can evaluate and price a claim.

Legal framework

California’s unfair-claims-practices law requires insurers to act fairly and reasonably when investigating and settling claims. See California Insurance Code § 790.03 for a list of prohibited practices, including unreasonable delay and failure to properly investigate or communicate with claimants: Cal. Ins. Code § 790.03. That statute does not give a specific number of days for a settlement offer. Instead, it creates a duty of reasonableness. If an insurer unreasonably delays, you may have a basis to complain to the California Department of Insurance or, in some circumstances, pursue remedies in court.

Practical timeline ranges (typical scenarios)

Simple property damage or straightforward liability (minor auto accidents, clear liability): initial contact/acknowledgement within a few days; initial offer often within 2–6 weeks after a complete demand.
Moderate injury claims with medical records to review: insurer often needs 4–12 weeks to evaluate medical bills, records, and lost-wage documentation and then make an initial offer.
Severe injuries, disputed liability, or claims requiring independent medical exams or complex valuation: evaluation can take 3–6 months or longer before a meaningful offer appears.
Policy-limit or catastrophic claims: insurers may respond faster for a full-value policy-limits demand, but they also may need extra time to confirm reserves, investigate, and obtain internal approvals; expect anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months depending on how complete the demand is.

Key factors that lengthen or shorten the timeline

Completeness of your demand package (medical records, bills, lost-wage documents, photos, repair estimates).
Whether liability is undisputed or contested.
Need for third-party investigations (surveillance, accident re-creation) or independent medical exams (IME).
Internal insurer procedures and approval chains — some offers require supervisor/committee approval.
Whether the claim implicates policy limits or potentially multiple insurance carriers.
Volume and backlog at the insurer (high-volume carriers may respond more slowly).

Actions you can take to speed a reasonable response

Prepare a clear, organized demand and follow a consistent follow-up plan:

Submit a complete demand: include a concise demand letter, itemized damages, key medical records, invoices, and any liability-supporting evidence (photos, police reports).
Set a reasonable response deadline in your demand (commonly 30 days) and state that you will follow up. A deadline signals seriousness and gives the insurer a target without implying a legal cutoff.
Follow up promptly — call or e-mail 7–14 days after submitting the demand to confirm receipt and ask for the expected response window.
If the insurer requests additional records, provide them quickly. Keep a trail of every communication (dates, names, content).
If you get repeated, unexplained delay or evasive responses, escalate internally to a claims supervisor or unit manager.

When delay or a lowball offer may be a problem

If the insurer unreasonably delays investigation or denies/lowballs without a reasonable basis, you may have a claim for bad-faith handling under California law. Unreasonable behavior could include ignoring reasonable proof of loss, failing to communicate, or refusing to consider valid medical records. California’s unfair-claims-practices statute, Insurance Code § 790.03, explains prohibited insurer practices that courts may consider when evaluating whether the insurer acted improperly.

Practical next steps if you don’t get a reasonable initial offer

Send a firm follow-up (reference original demand, summarize what’s outstanding, and restate your deadline).
Request escalation to a claims supervisor or manager.
Consider mediation or demand for appraisal if the policy allows.
File a complaint with the California Department of Insurance if you believe the carrier engaged in unfair practices.
Consult an attorney experienced in California insurance claims if the insurer unreasonably stalls, refuses to negotiate, or issues a clearly inadequate offer.

Example timelines (hypothetical)

Example A — Minor auto accident with clear liability: demand sent with photos, repair estimate, and one medical visit. Expect an acknowledgement within 2–7 days and a first offer within 2–6 weeks.

Example B — Soft-tissue injury with ongoing treatment: demand with medical records and wage documentation. Expect insurer investigation and need for additional medical records; typical time to a realistic offer: 6–12 weeks.

Example C — Multiple fractures and surgery (catastrophic): policy-limit demand necessary. Insurer may prioritize but still needs time to confirm reserves and approvals; timeline can be 2–8 weeks or longer depending on completeness of records and insurer process.

Helpful Hints

Include everything: full medical records, itemized bills, lost-wage proof, photos, police report, and a clear demand letter.
Set a clear but reasonable response deadline in the demand (30 days is common).
Follow up within 7–14 days to confirm receipt and ask for an expected decision date.
Keep careful records of every call and e-mail — note names, dates, and summaries.
Ask for the adjuster’s file notes or summaries of what they relied on if you get a low offer.
Consider a policy-limits demand if injuries are severe — but only after you have sufficient documentation and legal advice.
If the insurer ignores or stonewalls you, you can file a complaint with the California Department of Insurance and consider counsel for a bad-faith evaluation.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It explains typical California practices and statutes in plain language, but it is not a substitute for consulting a licensed attorney about your specific situation.