We normally put insurers or solicitors to a deadline of around 14 – 21 days to get the cheque to us from the day they confirm the settlement amount, but all sorts of things can go wrong. The cheque itself may not be too easy to track.
It will normally have to be raised by the insurers or whoever is dealing with matters on the opponent’s side, sent out to your solicitors, and then sent to you. How long it takes the accounts department for the other side to raise a cheque is anyone’s guess. How long it takes the royal mail to get it to us and then for us to get it to you is again, difficult to predict. Second class doesn’t always get to its destination in time, and first class doesn’t always mean next day delivery.
It would be great if we could put tracking chips in to cheques so we could tell you exactly where your cheque is. But sadly, it’s not feasible; at least not in today’s modern day. In the future, you never know!
So when you call a solicitor and ask “where is my settlement cheque” we may not be able to tell you. If it’s in the office, then we should be able to tell you. If it’s not, we can never guarantee where it is.
We will of course chase the other side for progress, but it’s always best to be a little patient. Don’t worry; you’ll get the cheque! Just don’t go spending the money before its actually arrived in your hands…