Questions & answers · Car insurance
In New Jersey, how soon must the other driver's insurance company contact me and settle my car damage claim?
Car insuranceSlow or stuckNew JerseyChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) View original ↗
In short
- New Jersey's insurance department says the other driver's insurer must contact you within 10 working days.
- It says the insurer has 45 calendar days to settle a third party claim, but that time can be extended.
- If it takes longer than 45 days, the insurer must tell you the reason in writing.
What this means
This answer uses one New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance page. A "third party" claim is a claim you make with the other driver's insurer. The page says New Jersey regulations require that insurer to contact you within 10 working days after it learns of the loss. If it wants to inspect your car, it must do so within 7 working days. The page adds that the insurer does not have to inspect if it does not believe its customer was at fault.
The page says the insurer has 45 calendar days to settle your third party claim after it gets notice of the loss. The time may be extended if more investigation is needed or if you do not cooperate. If it takes longer than 45 days, the insurer must send you written notice of the reason.
Your next step
Report the loss to the other driver's insurer and note the date. Count 10 working days for contact and 45 calendar days for settlement. After 45 days, ask for the written reason for the delay. You may file a written complaint with NJDOBI; the page lists 1-800-446-7467.
Check it yourself
Open the NJDOBI page and read questions 7 and 8 in the list of questions.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) · checked 2026-11-05
New Jersey insurance regulations require the insurance company to contact you within 10 working days after they have been notified of a loss, or if they intend to exercise their right to inspect the damaged vehicle, they must do so within 7 working days. However, the insurance company is under no obligation to inspect your vehicle if they do not believe that their insured was legally responsible (i.e., at fault) for …
[2] New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) · checked 2026-11-05
File a written complaint with NJDOBI You can file a written complaint with: The Office of the Insurance Ombudsman NJ Department of Banking and Insurance 20 West State Street PO Box 472 Trenton NJ 08625-0472 1-800-446-7467
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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