How long do I have to file a property damage claim in North Carolina?

I was rear-ended by another driver and the police were called. They determined I was not at fault. I called my insurance agent initially but was only able to reach his secretary. She told me to wait for the other driver's insurance company to contact me, but now it's been 3 weeks and I haven't heard anything from them. How much time do I have to get this done in North Carolina?

Thanks for reaching out to the Zebra. I'm sorry to hear you're going through this! An accident is stressful enough without worrying about time limitations.

The statute in North Carolina for filing a property damage claim is technically three years. However, I would recommend taking care of the claim as quickly as possible to avoid any issues with the other driver's insurance company. Ideally, that driver would've submitted their claim and given the insurance company your information so they could reach out. However, since they haven't contacted you yet, I'd suggest reaching out to them yourself — sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be for the insurance company to assess the damage.

The length of time for the whole claims process to be taken care of is hard to say; it could be a few weeks, a few months, or even longer depending on the situation. If there isn't a dispute about whose fault the accident is, then it may not take too long to be resolved. However, if there is an ongoing investigation or injuries were involved then this will likely add time. After you're able to contact the other driver's insurance company and begin a dialogue, you may want to ask about rental car reimbursement while you wait for things to get settled with your vehicle repairs.

We hope that you're back on the road soon!