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Car Insurance Claim Refused

Insurers must handle claims fairly and must not unreasonably reject them. Refusing a claim because of a mistake on your application, or because you broke a policy condition, is often unreasonable unless strict tests are met. Complain to the insurer, then the Financial Ombudsman Service, which handles motor complaints including theft, repairs and write-offs.

Rules checked with our Insurance Claims and Complaints guide General information, not legal advice

At a Glance

Fairlyclaims must not be unreasonably rejected
Connecteda broken condition usually must relate to the claim
8 weeksthen the Financial Ombudsman Service

Your Rights

What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.

Your Rights on Claims

  • Prompt and Fair Claims

    The FCA's rules say an insurer must handle claims promptly and fairly, give you reasonable guidance to help you make a claim and appropriate updates on progress, not unreasonably reject a claim, and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed (ICOBS 8.1.1R). source

  • Misrepresentation

    For consumer policies, an insurer rejecting a claim because of a misrepresentation is generally unreasonable unless it was a 'qualifying misrepresentation': you failed to take reasonable care not to misrepresent, and the insurer can show it would not have written the policy at all, or only on different terms, without it. source

  • Breaching a Condition

    Rejecting a claim because you breached a condition or warranty is generally unreasonable unless the circumstances of the claim are connected to the breach (for contracts on or after 1 August 2017, with exceptions in sections 10 and 11 of the Insurance Act 2015). source

Complaining

  • Motor Complaints the Ombudsman Handles

    The Financial Ombudsman handles motor insurance complaints including vehicle theft, repairs, valuations and write-offs, fault claims and no-claims bonuses, GAP, telematics and breakdown cover. It decides using evidence from both sides, the law and rules, and industry codes. It is free. source

  • 6 Months to Go to the Ombudsman

    You have 6 months from the date on the final response to refer your complaint to the Ombudsman. After that it usually cannot help, unless exceptional circumstances (such as serious ill health or bereavement) stopped you, the insurer did not send a valid final response, or the insurer agrees. source

Time Limits to Know

Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.

  • 8 weeks
    Insurer's time to give a final response to a complaint8 weeks for most complaints
  • 6 months
    Refer a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman ServiceWithin 6 months of the date on the insurer's final response

Steps to Take

Step 1 of 5

Ask for the reason in writing and the exact policy wording.

Step 2 of 5

If it says you gave wrong information, check the questions you were actually asked.

Step 3 of 5

If it says you broke a condition, ask how that was connected to the loss.

Step 4 of 5

Complain in writing. We do not take insurance or banking complaints as cases, but our free letter templates can help you write to the firm.

Step 5 of 5

After 8 weeks, or a final response, go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)

Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right

Your options, in order, and when each one applies.

The Insurer's Complaints Team

Always start here, in writing.

Financial Ombudsman Service

After 8 weeks with no final response, or if you are unhappy with it. Refer within 6 months of the final response.

Good to Know

Small things that make your complaint stronger.

Keep copies of your application and renewal documents: they show what you were asked.

Want Help?

If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.

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Luke Marley

Lead reviewer

Luke Marley

Founder and Lead Reviewer

Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.

Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.

Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.

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