Policyholder Rights by State
What rights policyholders have under state insurance regulations, and how to enforce them when a carrier disputes a claim.
Georgia policyholder rights
Georgia policyholders are protected by the Georgia Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Georgia Insurance Code. These laws set minimum standards for how carriers must handle claims, communicate with policyholders, and process payments.
Your core rights in Georgia
- Written acknowledgment of your claim within 15 calendar days
- A written decision (accept or deny) within 15 business days of completing investigation
- A denial must cite the specific policy provision being relied upon
- Payment must be issued promptly once a claim is accepted
- The right to request an appraisal if you dispute the settlement amount
- The right to appeal a denial internally before litigation
- The right to file a complaint with the OCI at no cost
The appraisal clause
Most Georgia property policies contain an appraisal clause: if you and the carrier cannot agree on the amount of a loss, each party selects an independent appraiser. The two appraisers then select an umpire. A decision by any two of the three is binding. Appraisal is typically faster and cheaper than litigation for amount disputes.