What to Do If the Insurance Company Is Stalling Your Claim in Chicago

After a car accident, dealing with the insurance company should lead to fair and timely compensation, but that’s not always the case. In many situations, the insurance company stalls, dragging out the process to pressure you into accepting less than you deserve or wearing you down entirely.

For car accident victims, these delays can create serious financial hardship. Medical bills begin to pile up, income is lost, and frustration builds—all while your legitimate car accident claim is ignored or delayed without explanation. What starts as a hopeful recovery can quickly become a stressful, uphill battle—especially when you’re left without the resources to move forward.

Unfortunately, this kind of behavior isn’t rare. Insurers often rely on delay tactics because they know many people don’t fully understand their rights or the laws designed to protect them. If you’re in this position, it’s essential to take action before the delays cost you your chance at fair compensation.

In this article, we’ll explain why insurers stall after an accident, expose common insurance company tactics, and provide clear, actionable steps you can take if your insurance claim is being delayed. We’ll also explain how working with a Chicago car accident attorney can help move things forward and protect your right to a full recovery.

Why Do Insurance Companies Stall After Car Accidents?

When an insurance company is stalling, it’s rarely due to simple oversight. In many cases, the delay is intentional and rooted in strategy. These companies are profit-driven, and the longer they can postpone resolving your car accident claim, the more likely they are to limit how much they eventually pay.

The most common reason for stalling is financial. If your car is totaled, you’re out of work, and the medical bills are adding up, insurers count on you being desperate enough to take a quick, low offer. Some companies use delay as a way to “run out the clock,” assuming that memories will fade, key documents will get lost, or evidence will become harder to verify.

In some instances, delays are institutionalized as part of internal company policy—a systematic approach to discourage and reduce payments.

And perhaps most dangerously, an insurer may try to stretch out the process until you pass Illinois’s statute of limitations, which gives you only two years to file a claim (735 ILCS 5/13-202). If you miss that deadline, your right to recover compensation could disappear entirely.

These strategies are often subtle but incredibly harmful. Recognizing them early can help you take corrective action before it’s too late.

Common Insurance Adjuster Stalling Tactics

Once the insurance company chooses to delay your car accident claim, their adjusters often deploy a series of methods to slow progress without outright denying responsibility. These tactics are designed to make it feel like something is happening when, in reality, they’re just running out the clock.

One common tactic is asking for documents piecemeal instead of upfront. You send one item, and then they “realize” they need another, drawing out the exchange over weeks or months. Another tactic is to say your claim is “still under review” without providing any actual updates or timelines for resolution.

You may be asked repeatedly for recorded statements, hoping you’ll say something slightly inconsistent with your original version. They might request unrelated or overly broad medical records, fishing for pre-existing conditions to use against you. Some adjusters will even challenge clearly necessary medical treatment as “unreasonable” or “not accident-related.”

Early in the process, you may receive an offer that’s far below your actual damages. This offer is meant to test your desperation. If you’re financially strained, you may be tempted to accept it before understanding the full extent of your losses.

These are not isolated events—they’re part of well-established tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying full value.

Steps to Take When the Insurance Company Stalls Your Claim

If you believe the insurance company is stalling, taking control of the process can protect your rights and move your claim forward.

Start by requesting a complete list of required documents from the insurance company. Insist they provide everything upfront to prevent delays caused by repeated document requests.

Then, keep detailed records. Save all emails, letters, forms, and any other correspondence. If you speak by phone, send a follow-up email summarizing the conversation to create a written record.

Maintain a consistent follow-up schedule. Don’t wait weeks between check-ins—reach out regularly and document all interactions, including dates, times, and the names of those you spoke with. Always communicate in writing when possible. Emails are sufficient and help eliminate disputes over what was said.

If progress still stalls, ask to speak with a supervisor. A claims manager may be more willing—or able—to move your case forward. If this fails, file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Insurance, which monitors the conduct of insurers statewide.

Finally, contact a Chicago car accident attorney. A lawyer can take over the process, enforce your legal rights, and ensure the insurance company doesn’t exploit you. In some cases, your attorney may even uncover grounds for a bad faith claim, holding the insurer accountable for intentionally mishandling your case.

How a Lawyer Can Help Car Accident Victims with a Stalling Insurance Company

If you’re dealing with a stalling insurance company, a lawyer can shift the balance of power immediately. A seasoned Chicago car accident attorney knows how to apply pressure, cut through the red tape, and force the insurance company to respond.

Attorneys take over communication, shielding you from stress and eliminating the possibility of saying something that could hurt your claim. They demand clear timelines, dispute unnecessary delays, and push for a resolution. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can escalate the matter by preparing to file a lawsuit.

Some delays rise to the level of misconduct. If the insurer’s behavior is deceptive, excessive, or retaliatory, you may have grounds for a bad faith claim. Illinois law requires insurers to act fairly and in good faith when handling legitimate personal injury claims. A lawyer will recognize when your rights are being violated and take swift action to correct it.

Having a legal advocate shows the insurer you’re serious—and that delay tactics won’t work.

Book a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and the insurance company is stalling, don’t try to manage it alone. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped thousands of clients across Chicago take control of their insurance claims, hold insurers accountable, and secure the compensation they’re owed.

We understand how insurance companies operate—and more importantly, how to stop the delays. Whether your claim is being ignored, your paperwork keeps “getting lost,” or you’ve received an unreasonable offer, we’ll step in and protect your rights from day one.

We offer a free case evaluation and take all cases on a contingency fee, which means you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Don’t let a stalling insurer control your recovery. Let a proven Chicago car insurance claim attorney fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.