It is one of the worst moments in the claims process. You have waited for a decision, and the letter arrives saying your insurer will not pay. If you have just received one, you are probably asking what a repudiated claim actually means and whether there is anything you can do about it. The short answer is yes, there often is.
At Sabre Assessing we act only for policyholders, never for insurers, and we see repudiated claims every week. Here is what the term means, why insurers do it and the steps to take next.
What is a repudiated claim?
A repudiated claim is one the insurer has formally refused to pay, either in full or in part. The word simply means rejected. The insurer will usually write to you with its reasons, often pointing to a policy exclusion, a condition you are said to have broken, or an argument that the damage is not covered.
A repudiation is the insurer’s position, not the final word. Many repudiated claims are overturned once they are challenged with the right evidence.
Why do insurers repudiate claims?
The most common reasons we see include:
- A policy exclusion. The insurer says the cause of the damage is not covered, for example wear and tear, gradual damage or poor maintenance.
- Non-disclosure. The insurer says you did not give accurate answers when you took out or renewed the policy.
- Late notification. The claim was reported after the policy deadline, or the insurer says you waited too long.
- Disputed cause. The insurer’s expert and your own evidence disagree about what caused the damage.
- Underinsurance. The sum insured is said to be too low, so the payout is reduced.
Our guide on whether house insurance covers a leaking roof shows how a single word in a policy can swing a decision.
What to do if your claim is repudiated
- Read the letter carefully. Note exactly which clause or reason the insurer relies on. A vague refusal is worth questioning.
- Get your full policy documents. Compare the wording with the reason given. Insurers do sometimes misread or misapply their own policy.
- Gather your evidence. Photos, invoices, surveys, repair quotes, dates, emails and anything that shows the cause and the scale of the damage.
- Ask for the insurer’s evidence. If they rely on an expert report, request a copy.
- Challenge the decision in writing. Set out why you disagree, point to the policy wording and attach your evidence.
- Use the complaints process. If the insurer will not change its mind, ask for a final response to your complaint. Insurers normally have eight weeks to give one.
- Go to the Financial Ombudsman Service. If you are unhappy with the final response, or you have not received one after eight weeks, you can take your complaint to the Ombudsman, which is free for policyholders.
Should you appeal on your own or get help?
You can certainly challenge a decision yourself. The difficulty is that insurers handle thousands of claims, and the language they use can be hard to argue against without experience. A loss assessor reads the policy, builds the evidence, deals with the insurer for you and pushes back on weak reasons. If you would like to know more about how that works, see our guide on how to choose a loss assessor.
Repudiated claim or partial settlement?
It is worth knowing the difference. A full repudiation means no payment at all. A partial repudiation means the insurer pays some of the claim and refuses the rest. Either one can be challenged, and a low offer is often worth a second look before you accept it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a repudiated claim be reopened?
Yes. If you can show the insurer misread the policy or missed important evidence, they can reconsider. If they will not, the Financial Ombudsman Service can review the case.
How long do I have to challenge a repudiation?
Do not leave it. Act as soon as you can, and check the deadlines in your insurer’s letter and your policy.
Does a repudiated claim affect my premium?
It can be recorded against you, so it is worth getting the decision reviewed before you accept it.
Will a loss assessor take on a rejected claim?
Often, yes. We review the decision and tell you honestly whether there is a case to challenge.
Challenge a rejected claim With Sabre Assessing
If your insurer has turned down your claim, you do not have to accept it. Call us on 0330 165 3545 or contact Sabre Assessing and we will tell you honestly where you stand.