Insurance claim lawyer: declined claims and coverage disputes

Ask the insurer for its reasons in writing and a copy of your full policy. Use its internal complaints process, and if that does not resolve it, the dispute resolution scheme the insurer belongs to, such as the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman. For larger or more complex claims, court proceedings may be the better route. We can advise on the strength of the decline before you choose.

It depends on the policy wording, especially the insuring clause, the exclusions and when the policy requires a claim to be notified. Public liability and professional indemnity policies are often disputed on exclusions. Notify your insurer promptly and get advice before you accept or deny responsibility.

Home insurance policies commonly exclude gradual damage and defective workmanship, so cover is often limited. Claims against the insurers of the builder, developer or designer may be more promising. We act for parties who have had to issue proceedings against insurers in leaky building claims.

Time limits apply both under the Limitation Act 2010 and under some policies and dispute schemes, so act promptly once a claim is declined. Bring the policy and the decline letter to your first consultation and we will tell you where you stand.