Short answer
For a claim on your own policy, a Texas insurer generally must acknowledge it and start investigating within 15 days, accept or reject it within 15 business days after receiving everything it asked for (up to 45 more days if it explains why), and pay within 5 business days after accepting (Insurance Code §§542.055–542.057). PIP must be paid within 30 days of proof. These deadlines cover first-party claims — not a claim against the other driver’s insurer.
The Texas prompt-payment timeline
- Within 15 days after notice of your claim, the insurer must acknowledge it, begin investigating, and ask for everything it reasonably needs from you (§542.055). Eligible surplus lines insurers get 30 business days.
- Within 15 business days after receiving all the items it requested, it must accept or reject the claim in writing — and a rejection must state the reasons (§542.056).
- If it needs more time, it must tell you why within that same window, then decide within 45 days of that notice (§542.056(d)).
- Within 5 business days after telling you it will pay, it must pay (§542.057).
Which claims those deadlines cover
Texas defines a covered claim as a first-party claim — one you make under your own policy that the insurer pays directly to you (§542.051). After a crash, that includes collision, PIP, and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims on your own policy.
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PIP has its own 30-day rule
PIP benefits must be paid no later than 30 days after the insurer receives satisfactory proof of the claim (§1952.156). Paying late can bring a 12% penalty plus attorney’s fees and interest (§1952.157). See how PIP works.
Why the other driver’s insurer takes longer
- It is investigating fault — and may be waiting for the police report. Check whether yours should be ready.
- Injury claims are usually valued once treatment is finished and the bills are known.
- It may dispute fault, the need for treatment, or the value of the claim.
What ultimately limits the wait is the lawsuit deadline: generally two years from the crash (Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003). See the Texas statute of limitations.
If your own insurer misses the deadlines
- Put questions and requests in writing, and keep copies with dates.
- Ask the adjuster what specific item they are still waiting for — the 15-business-day clock runs from when they have everything they asked for.
- Call the Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line at 800-252-3439 (8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central, Monday–Friday) or file a complaint online.
- For a large or disputed claim, talk to a licensed Texas attorney about your options.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in Texas?
On your own policy: acknowledge within 15 days, accept or reject within 15 business days after receiving all requested items (plus up to 45 days with notice), and pay within 5 business days after accepting (Insurance Code §§542.055–542.057).
How long does the other driver’s insurance have to pay in Texas?
Texas prompt-payment deadlines apply to first-party claims (§542.051), not to claims against the other driver’s insurer. Those move as the insurer investigates fault and damages; the two-year lawsuit deadline is the outer limit.
What can I do if my insurance company is taking too long in Texas?
Ask in writing what they still need, keep records, and contact the Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line at 800-252-3439 or file a complaint online.
How long does PIP have to pay in Texas?
No later than 30 days after the insurer receives satisfactory proof of the claim (§1952.156).
Texas law and sources cited
- Tex. Ins. Code §542.051 — prompt-payment rules cover first-party claims
- Tex. Ins. Code §542.055 — 15 days to acknowledge and start investigating
- Tex. Ins. Code §542.056 — 15 business days to accept or reject
- Tex. Ins. Code §542.057 — 5 business days to pay after accepting
- Tex. Ins. Code §1952.156 — PIP paid within 30 days of proof
- Tex. Ins. Code §1952.157 — penalty when PIP is paid late
- Texas Department of Insurance — Consumer Help Line and complaints
- Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003 — two-year limitations period
General information, not legal advice. DFW Crash Data is not a law firm, and every situation is different — for advice about your own claim, talk to a licensed Texas attorney. Laws change; the sources above were checked on the date shown at the top of this page.