Buildings insurance - Getting problems sorted out

If the payment is less than you expected or if your claim is rejected, find out why. Common reasons for a claim being rejected or reduced include:
· The insurer had deducted an amount for wear and tear
· Estimates for repairs were too high (in the insurer’s view)
· The policy did not cover the particular cause of damage
· The person claiming had not fulfilled the policy conditions (keeping your home in a good state of repair, for example)
· The claim was scaled down because of under-insurance.

If the explanation you get is reasonable, and if, after reading your policy, you can see that the insurer has a point, you will have to accept what the insurer offers. However, if you think the insurer is simply trying to wiggle out of its obligations, you should complain. You can also complain if you think that your claim is being dealt with inefficiently or if you think that the insurer is deliberately taking longer to process your claim than is necessary. Contact the Insurance Ombudsman Bureau.