Questions & answers · Car insurance
The other driver's insurance company is slow to answer my car claim in Texas. Does the Texas claim-payment deadline law apply to it?
Car insuranceSlow or stuckTexasChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: Texas Insurance Code · Chapter 542, Subchapter B · Sec. 542.051 (Definitions) View original ↗
In short
- In Texas, the claim-payment deadline law (Subchapter B) is written for claims made by an insured or a beneficiary.
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says you have no contract with the other driver's insurer.
- The sources do not give a deadline for the other insurer to answer you.
What this means
This answer uses Texas sources only. The Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 542, Subchapter B ("Prompt Payment of Claims") defines a "claim" as a first-party claim made by an insured or policyholder, or by a beneficiary named in the policy. When you claim against the other driver's insurer, you are not that company's insured. Based on those words, the deadlines in that subchapter are written for a different kind of claim. The sources do not say what deadline, if any, applies to the other driver's insurer, so we do not give one.
TDI also says that insurer might take a while to contact you because it is waiting for its own policyholder, and that you have fewer options than with your own company. TDI says to ask the other insurer for its reason in detail and in writing.
Your next step
Ask the other insurer in writing for the reason for any delay. If you are not satisfied, you can file a complaint with TDI (TDI's number on the page is 800-252-3439). The sources do not state a deadline for the other insurer to answer.
Check it yourself
Open the Texas Insurance Code page and find Sec. 542.051 (2) to read the definition of "claim" yourself. Open the TDI page and read the section "Issues that can happen when filing a claim".
Where this comes from (2)
[1] Texas Insurance Code · Chapter 542, Subchapter B · Sec. 542.051 (Definitions) · checked 2026-11-05
Sec. 542.051. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: … (2) "Claim" means a first-party claim that: (A) is made by an insured or policyholder under an insurance policy or contract or by a beneficiary named in the policy or contract; and (B) must be paid by the insurer directly to the insured or beneficiary.
[2] TDI · checked 2026-11-05
Take a while to contact you while they wait on their policyholder to respond to their email or call. … You don’t have a contract with the other driver’s insurance, so you don’t have the same options you would with your own company. … If the other insurance says they won’t pay you, ask for their reason in detail and in writing. … TDI can help with complaints against insurance companies. If you file a complaint about a…
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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