Questions & answers · Car insurance
In Ohio, the other driver's insurance company is slow to answer my claim. Is there a time rule for it?
Car insuranceSlow or stuckOhioChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: Ohio Administrative Code · Rule 3901-1-54 «Unfair property/casualty claims settlement practices.» · sections (C)(3), (C)(5), (C)(16) View original ↗
In short
- An Ohio Department of Insurance rule sets answer times for insurers handling property and casualty claims.
- The rule defines "claimant" to include a third party claimant, which can be a person making a claim against someone else.
- The rule says an insurer must acknowledge a claim within fifteen days and respond to a communication from a claimant within fifteen days.
What this means
This answer uses Ohio sources only, and other states have different rules. Ohio Administrative Code rule 3901-1-54 covers the investigation and disposition of property and casualty claims under insurance contracts issued to residents of Ohio. The rule defines "claimant" to include a third party claimant, meaning someone asserting a claim against another person or business. It says "days" means calendar days. An insurer must acknowledge the receipt of a claim within fifteen days of receiving notification, and it must respond within fifteen days to any communication from a claimant when that communication suggests a response is appropriate. The rule also says an insurer must decide whether to accept or deny a claim within twenty-one days of receiving properly executed proof of loss, or tell the claimant why it needs more time, and then update the claimant in writing at least every forty-five days. The rule says it does not create a private cause of action. The sources here do not say what proof of loss means for a claim against another driver's insurer, and they do not list how to file a complaint.
Your next step
Write to the other insurer, say the date you first notified it, and ask for its answer. The rule's time for acknowledging and for answering a communication is fifteen days; the rule uses calendar days. Keep a copy of what you send.
Check it yourself
Open the rule page and read sections (C), (F), and (G).
Where this comes from (4)
[1] Ohio Administrative Code · Rule 3901-1-54 «Unfair property/casualty claims settlement practices.» · sections (C)(3), (C)(5), (C)(16) · checked 2026-11-05
(3) "Claimant" means a first party claimant, a third party claimant. … (16) "Third party claimant" means any individual, corporation, association, partnership or other legal entity asserting a claim against any other individual, corporation, association, partnership or legal entity. … (5) "Days" means calendar days. However, when the last day of a time limit stated in this rule falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday…
[2] Ohio Administrative Code · Rule 3901-1-54 «Unfair property/casualty claims settlement practices.» · section (F)(2) and (F)(3) · checked 2026-11-05
(2) An insurer shall acknowledge the receipt of a claim within fifteen days of receiving such notification. An insurer may satisfy this requirement by making payment within this fifteen day period. … (3) An insurer shall respond within fifteen days to any communication from a claimant, when that communication suggests a response is appropriate.
[3] Ohio Administrative Code · Rule 3901-1-54 «Unfair property/casualty claims settlement practices.» · section (G)(1) · checked 2026-11-05
(G) General standards for settlement of claims (1) An insurer shall within twenty-one days of the receipt of properly executed proof(s) of loss decide whether to accept or deny such claim(s). If more time is needed to investigate the claim than the twenty-one days allow, the insurer shall notify the claimant within the twenty-one day period, and provide an explanation of the need for more time. … If an extension of t…
[4] Ohio Administrative Code · Rule 3901-1-54 «Unfair property/casualty claims settlement practices.» · section (A) · checked 2026-11-05
Nothing in this rule shall be construed to create or imply a private cause of action for violation of this rule.
How we found this
We matched your question to 4 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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