The only relevant timeframe in the law for this is the statute of limitations, which is how long you'd have to sue if you believe you are entitled to compensation but do not receive a settlement (either at all, or one you are willing to take). If you were hit by another driver and hoping to get money from him or his insurer, that is up to 3 years from the accident (and in this case, if you do have to sue, you sue the other driver, not his insurer). If you had collission insurance and are looking for payment from your own insurer, it is also 3 years. But. there is no time frame within which the insurer must offer a settlement; there is only the time you have to take legal action if you don't gt one.Note also that if hit by another driver, his insurer never has to offer you a settlement; they can refuse to offer to pay you voluntarily, in which case the only way to get compensation would be to sue the other driver and prove in court that he/she was at fault.