How long does an insurance company have to investigate a claim in Georgia?
Short answer. Under the Georgia Insurance Commissioner's claim rule, an insurer must acknowledge a property claim within 15 days, and when no proof of loss is required it should complete a reasonable investigation within 30 days of the report. If it needs more time it must tell you in writing why, and the total time to accept or deny generally should not exceed 60 days from notice unless it is waiting on information it requested from you.
What stretches the clock
- Outstanding requests. A signed proof of loss, photos, receipts, or a recorded statement the insurer asked for and has not received.
- Engineer inspections. On disputed hail or wind claims, some insurers send an engineer, which can add weeks while the report is written.
- Catastrophe volume. After a big Georgia hailstorm, adjusters may be booked out, but the written notice requirement still applies.
How to keep your claim moving
- Report the claim in writing and save the confirmation with the claim number.
- Answer every request within days and keep proof of what you sent.
- If 30 days pass without a decision or a written explanation, send a short email asking for the status and the reason for any delay.
- If 60 days pass with no explanation, a complaint to the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is reasonable.
After the decision
Once coverage is confirmed and the amount is no longer in dispute, payment is due within 10 days. Denials based on a policy provision must be explained in writing. If you disagree with the amount, the clock does not force the insurer to accept your number; a supplement or appraisal addresses that. The whole sequence from storm to new roof is laid out in the Georgia roof claim timeline.