Detailed Answer

Short answer: In Ohio you can usually expect an insurer to acknowledge receipt of a demand within 1–2 weeks and to respond with an initial offer anywhere from about 30 to 90 days after a complete demand is submitted. Complex claims or coverage disputes can push that timeline to several months. This is a general overview — not legal advice.

Why timelines vary

Insurers base timing on what they must confirm before making a monetary offer: liability, damages, medical records, wage loss documentation, property repair estimates, coverage limits, and whether other insurers or parties are involved. The following items commonly lengthen the timeline:

• Ongoing or incomplete medical treatment (insurers often wait for a treatment plateau or prognosis).
• Missing or late records, bills, or wage documentation.
• Multiple at-fault parties or disputed liability.
• Complex injuries (catastrophic, permanent impairment, or future care needs).
• Subrogation or lien evaluations (medical liens, Medicare/Medicaid, health insurer liens).
• Policy coverage disputes (whether the policy covers the claim at all).

Typical timeline milestones

• 0–2 weeks (Acknowledgment and initial investigation): The insurer should confirm receipt and open a file. They may request missing records or clarification.
• 2–6 weeks (Active investigation): The insurer gathers medical records, obtains repair estimates or wage documentation, and analyzes liability. For straightforward auto-property claims or small injury claims, this often leads to an early offer.
• 4–12 weeks (Initial offer): If the file is complete, many insurers make an initial settlement offer in this window. Offers can be lower than the demand to allow negotiation.
• 3–6 months (Evaluation of complex claims): For serious injuries or disputed liability, insurers may take longer while waiting for medical stability, IMEs, or life-care plans.
• 6+ months (Coverage fights or litigation track): If there is a coverage denial or the insurer refuses reasonable offers, the matter may shift toward formal dispute resolution or suit.

Ohio law and consumer protection

Ohio regulates insurance practices through statutes and oversight by the Ohio Department of Insurance. Chapter 3901 of the Ohio Revised Code sets out the state’s insurance regulatory framework and addresses insurer conduct generally. You can read the chapter here: Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 3901.

If you believe an insurer is unreasonably delaying or unfairly handling your claim, you may file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Insurance (consumer complaints): Ohio Department of Insurance – Consumer Complaints. The Department can investigate regulatory violations but cannot give you a money judgment — only a court can do that.

When delay can amount to bad faith (what to watch for)

There is no fixed single-day cutoff in most statutes that forces an insurer to pay, but repeated, unreasonable delays after a full demand — especially without explanation or while refusing to investigate — can form the basis for a bad-faith claim in Ohio. If the insurer refuses to respond or repeatedly requests the same records without progress, consider consulting an attorney about possible claims for unfair settlement practices.

What you can do to speed an initial offer

1. Send a complete demand packet: demand letter, clear damages breakdown, medical records and bills, wage documentation, repair estimates, photos, and applicable medical authorizations.
2. Follow up promptly when the insurer requests more documents. Missing items are the most common cause of delay.
3. State a clear settlement figure and how you calculated it (medicals, lost wages, pain and suffering). A well-supported demand reduces back-and-forth.
4. Ask for a timeline in writing: request an estimated response date and the name/contact of the adjuster handling the file.
5. If the claim is time sensitive (statute of limitations issue or imminent lien filing), tell the insurer and document the urgency in writing.

When to involve an attorney

Consider hiring an attorney if:

• The insurer does not respond within a reasonable period after a complete demand.
• You receive a low-ball offer that ignores clear damages or liability.
• Coverage is denied or the insurer raises novel legal defenses.
• Your injuries are serious, long-term, or require future care planning.

An attorney can prepare a stronger demand, negotiate, and—if necessary—file suit before Ohio’s statute of limitations runs.

Helpful Hints

• Label your demand as “complete” only when you include all supporting records and damage documentation.
• Track all communications (dates, times, names). Keep written copies of what you send and receive.
• Ask the adjuster if the insurer is evaluating your claim under a reservation of rights or paying under a reservation; these letters indicate a coverage issue could be coming.
• If an insurer asks you to sign a broad release before you’ve settled future medical needs, get legal advice first.
• Use the Ohio Department of Insurance complaint portal only after you have given the insurer a reasonable time to respond; the Department’s process can be slow and is often most effective when paired with legal counsel.

Disclaimer: This article explains general Ohio insurance-claim timelines and consumer options for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice about a particular claim or denial, consult a licensed Ohio attorney.