How Long Does It Take State Farm to Settle Claims in Tampa, FL?

April 1, 2025 | Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury

Insurance companies pay most Florida personal injury claims, regardless of whether the victim files a lawsuit. State Farm offers auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and personal liability insurance, among other forms of insurance. Given the different types of personal injury claims that arise, State Farm claims can take anywhere from weeks to years to resolve.

State Farm’s Formal Settlement Process

Below is a general description of State Farm’s typical accident claim process. Be aware that not all claims work the same way because no two personal injury cases have the same facts.

The Demand Letter

You can call State Farm’s claim 24/7 claim hotline (1-800-SF-CLAIM) or use the mobile app to report your claim. You’re probably better off submitting a formal written demand letter, complete with supporting documentation such as medical bills. Your demand letter should include:

A brief description of the accident
An explanation of why the other party was at fault
A description of your injuries and medical treatment
A summarization of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
A demand for a specific settlement amount
A deadline for the insurance company to respond

Your lawyer can draft a demand letter for you.

Preliminary Investigation

A State Farm claims adjuster will perform an initial investigation of your claim. If you’ve hired a lawyer, they will also perform an investigation.

State Farm’s Response

Within a few weeks of sending your demand letter, State Farm will either issue a settlement offer or flatly deny your claim.

Negotiations

State Farm’s settlement offer will probably be much lower than the amount you are entitled to. Don’t worry; you can always issue a counteroffer. Additionally, your lawyer can negotiate with State Farm on your behalf. This approach will probably work far better than trying to negotiate your claim on your own.

Litigation

If negotiations fail, or if they never begin, your lawyer might recommend filing a lawsuit against State Farm. That doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a trial. You can always settle before trial if State Farm issues an adequate settlement offer. If your case does go to trial, however, it could take a year or more to resolve.

Complicating Factors

The following factors can delay the resolution of your claim:

Disputed liability
Wrongful death
Car accidents with “serious” injuries (see below)
Insufficient admissible evidence
Wide disparity in negotiation skills
Long-term or permanent injuries
Uninsured or underinsured motorist claims
Refusal of witnesses to cooperate

Many other factors might complicate your case.

Special Case: Florida Car Accidents and Mandatory Insurance

Florida is a “no-fault” car insurance state, meaning that drivers must carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance as part of their auto insurance coverage. Under Florida’s no-fault system:

PIP coverage will pay for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
PIP typically covers 80% of medical expenses and 60% of lost wages up to the limits of the policy, which is generally $10,000 in coverage.

However, it’s important to note that this only applies to personal injury claims. Property damage claims and other issues may be handled differently, depending on the situation.

You cannot file a lawsuit on a PIP claim, and you cannot seek non-economic damages (pain and suffering, for example) or punitive damages. State Farm might resolve a PIP claim in as little as a few weeks.

Property Damage Liability (PDL) Insurance

Florida drivers must also carry $10,000 in property damage liability (PDL) insurance. Since PDL insurance is fault-based, claim resolution might have to wait until the parties resolve the question of fault.

“Serious” Injuries

If your injuries are “serious,” as Florida law defines that term (permanent disfigurement, for example), you can file a personal injury lawsuit seeking full economic and non-economic damages. Such claims could take months or even years to resolve.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance

Florida drivers need not carry bodily injury insurance unless they have a DUI on their driving record. Even if your injuries qualify as “serious,” the defendant might not have the insurance resources to pay your claim if they don’t carry optional bodily injury liability insurance.

A Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Can Make a World of Difference

A Florida personal injury lawyer can make a significant difference in your case by maximizing your chances of securing generous compensation. They will handle all communication with State Farm, including negotiations, so you can focus on your recovery. From gathering crucial evidence to aggressively advocating on your behalf, a skilled attorney will work tirelessly to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer from Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Tampa today. We have five convenient locations in Florida, including Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Lakeland.

We proudly serve Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Polk County, and its surrounding areas:

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
601 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 223-6200

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
600 Bypass Dr Suite 224-D, Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 493-4418

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Office
111 2nd Ave NE Suite 350, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 314-5988

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
5006 Trouble Creek Rd Unit #200, Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 910-5060

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakeland Office
1543 Lakeland Hills Blvd Suite 18, Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 251-6196