Questions & answers · Car insurance
In Washington, the other driver's insurer has not answered my claim. What time rules does it have?
Car insuranceSlow or stuckWashingtonChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 284-30-320 «Definitions.» · subsection (2) View original ↗
In short
- Washington's claims rules define "claimant" as a first party claimant, a third-party claimant, or both.
- One rule says an insurer must acknowledge a notice of claim within 10 business days.
- Another says an insurer must complete its investigation within 30 calendar days unless it cannot reasonably be completed in that time, and must explain in writing if it needs more.
What this means
This answer uses Washington sources only. In Washington Administrative Code 284-30-320, "claimant" means, depending on the circumstance, either a first party claimant, a third-party claimant, or both. WAC 284-30-360 says an insurer must acknowledge receipt of a notice of claim within 10 business days under an individual insurance policy, and give an appropriate reply to other pertinent communications from a claimant within 10 business days. WAC 284-30-370 says an insurer must complete its investigation within 30 calendar days after a notification of claim, unless it cannot reasonably be completed in that time. If it needs more time, it must tell the claimant in writing why, and give more written notice every 30 days. The sources do not say how to file a complaint with the Washington insurance commissioner.
Your next step
Write to the other insurer with your claim number and the date you gave notice, and ask for its acknowledgment and status. The rules count business days (10) for the reply and calendar days (30) for the investigation.
Check it yourself
Open WAC 284-30-320, 284-30-360, and 284-30-370 at the links above and read the quoted subsections.
Where this comes from (3)
[1] Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 284-30-320 «Definitions.» · subsection (2) · checked 2026-11-05
(2) "Claimant" means, depending upon the circumstance, either a first party claimant, a third-party claimant, or both and includes a claimant's designated legal representative and a member of the claimant's immediate family designated by the claimant.
[2] Washington Administrative Code 284-30-360 «Standards for the insurer to acknowledge pertinent communications.» · subsections (1) and (3) (page shows: effective · checked 2026-11-05
(1) Within 10 business days after receiving a notification of claim under an individual insurance policy, or within 15 business days with respect to claims arising under group insurance contracts, the insurer must acknowledge its receipt of the notice of claim. … (3) For all other pertinent communications from a claimant reasonably suggesting that a response is expected, an appropriate reply must be provided within 1…
[3] Washington Administrative Code 284-30-370 «Standards for prompt investigation of a claim.» · subsection (1) and (1)(a), (1)(b) (page shows: effective 10/18/26) · checked 2026-11-05
(1) Every insurer must complete its investigation of a claim within 30 calendar days after a notification of claim, unless the investigation cannot reasonably be completed within that time. … (a) If the insurer needs more time to investigate the claim, it must notify the claimant in writing of the reasons it cannot complete the investigation of the claim within 30 calendar days from the notification of claim. … (b) I…
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 2026-11-05.
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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