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My auto insurer is treating my claim unfairly. How do I complain to the state, and what can they do?

Car insuranceComplaint / outside reviewTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: TDI View original ↗

In short

  1. Tell the company why you disagree and send your shop estimate.
  2. Then you can file a complaint online with TDI.
  3. In Texas, the company has 15 days to answer TDI.

What this means

TDI's steps for an auto complaint [1]: 1. Talk to the company. If you disagree with the adjuster's estimate, tell the company why and send supporting documents, such as the body shop's estimate. 2. Ask for an appraisal if your policy has one. Appraisal settles only the amount of damage, not whether something is covered. Check your policy for any deadline to request it. 3. File a complaint with TDI online and upload pictures or letters to and from the company. 4. TDI contacts the company. Companies have 15 days to respond and can ask for a 10-day extension. 5. Get legal help if you want to sue.

What TDI can't do: make a company pay unless not paying violates a law or the terms of your policy; help with complaints against another person's insurance company (for example, when the other driver's insurer won't accept liability); or decide who was at fault. TDI also can't help with complaints about body shops [1].

Your next step

File your complaint with TDI online and upload pictures or letters to and from the company [1]. The company then has 15 days to answer TDI and can ask for 10 more days [1]. Check your policy for any deadline to ask for appraisal [1].

Check it yourself

Open TDI's page "Get help with an auto insurance complaint" and read Steps 1 to 5 and "We also can't". Your policy shows if it has an appraisal clause.

Where this comes from (1)

  1. [1] TDI · checked 2026-11-06

    If you disagree with the adjuster's estimate, tell the company why. The company might raise the estimate if it finds out that it overlooked something or gets new information. Send the company any supporting documents, such as the body shop's estimate for the repairs. Step 2: Ask for an appraisal … You can only use appraisal to resolve disputes about the amount of damage. … Check your policy for any deadlines to reque…

How we found this

We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.

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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