Questions & answers · Car insurance
In Virginia, how fast must the other driver's insurance company respond after I report my car damage claim?
Car insuranceHow to fileVirginiaChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance · 14VAC5-400-50 (Acknowledgment of pertinent communications) · 14VAC5-400-50 A View original ↗
In short
- In Virginia, a Bureau of Insurance rule says an insurer must acknowledge a claim within 15 calendar days.
- The rule's word "claimant" includes a third party claimant, which is someone who claims against the insurer's customer.
- The 15-day accept-or-deny rule in the sources is written for first party claimants only.
What this means
This answer uses Virginia sources only. Virginia's rule on unfair claim settlement practices (14VAC5-400) defines "claimant" to include a "third party claimant." A third party claimant is a person who claims against an insured, like you when the other driver caused your damage. Section 50 says the insurer must acknowledge your claim within 15 calendar days, and must promptly give you claim forms and reasonable help.
The 15-day rule to accept or deny the claim (section 60) names a "first party claimant," which is the insurer's own customer. The sources do not say that section 60 applies to you. So the sources do not give a date by which the other insurer must decide your claim.
Your next step
Report the claim to the other driver's insurer and write down the date. If you hear nothing in 15 calendar days, ask the insurer in writing to acknowledge your claim. The sources do not give a deadline for the insurer's final decision on a third party claim.
Check it yourself
Open 14VAC5-400-50 and read subsection A. Open 14VAC5-400-20 and read the definitions of "Claimant" and "Third party claimant." Open 14VAC5-400-60 and see that it names a "first party claimant."
Where this comes from (3)
[1] Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance · 14VAC5-400-50 (Acknowledgment of pertinent communications) · 14VAC5-400-50 A · checked 2026-11-06
A. An insurer, upon receiving notification of a claim shall, within 15 calendar days, acknowledge the receipt of such notice to the claimant unless payment is made within such period of time, except that if a provider submits a claim, acknowledgment of the claim is satisfied if payment or denial of the claim is made to the provider within 21 calendar days. If an acknowledgment is made by means other than writing, an …
[2] Virginia Administrative Code · 14VAC5-400-20 (Definitions) · 14VAC5-400-20 · checked 2026-11-06
Claimant" means a first party claimant, a third party claimant, a designated legal representative, or a member of the claimant's immediate family designated by the claimant. … "Third party claimant" means any person asserting a claim against an insured or a provider filing a claim on behalf of an insured under an insurance policy.
[3] Virginia Administrative Code · 14VAC5-400-60 (Standards for prompt investigation of claims) · 14VAC5-400-60 A · checked 2026-11-06
A. Within 15 calendar days after receipt by the insurer of any required properly executed proof of loss, a first party claimant shall be advised of the acceptance or denial of the claim by the insurer. If the insurer needs more time to determine whether a claim should be accepted or denied, it shall notify the first party claimant within 15 calendar days after receipt of the proof of loss giving the reasons more time…
How we found this
We matched your question to 3 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
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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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