Auto Insurance Claims: Stolen car that was later recovered, gap insurance, claims adjuster

Question
My car was stolen on 1/14/08. It has taken Nationwide 6 weeks to deem the car as a total loss. I received the paperwork to sign the title over to the them on 2/29/08 and started the process for my Gap insurance to cover the rest. I received a call from a claims adjuster on 3/01/08 stating that the car was recovered. Do I have to have the car repaired if it is deemed "fixable". Do insurance companies have a time limit to process claims? They really gave me a hard time about this claim and I have never filed any type of claim before.

Answer
Hi Shannon,

Unfortunately, until the title paperwork is processed through the state the vehicle is still yours. In most theft claims the insurance company has 60 days to investigate and either pay or deny the claim.

If the vehicle is deemed repairable, the insurance company will likely require that the vehicle be repaired and returned to you. There is really not anything you can do about that. It is your car and if it is repairable it will not be processed as a total loss.

I hope this helps
Richard Hixenbaugh