Challenge unfair denials and get your travel insurance payout
If your travel insurance claim was rejected, you can appeal. Request the insurer's written reasoning and policy references for the denial. Challenge misinterpretations of your policy terms. Provide additional evidence supporting your claim. If unsatisfied, file a formal complaint and escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service within 6 years of the claim date.
Common reasons: pre-existing medical conditions (if not declared), high-risk activities not covered by your policy, travel to countries with FCO warnings, claims made without required supporting documents, or the incident falling outside policy exclusions. However, many rejections are unfair—insurers misinterpret policy language or apply exclusions wrongly. Challenge any rejection that seems unreasonable.
Always request the insurer's detailed written explanation of why your claim was rejected and which policy sections they cite as grounds.
First, review the rejection letter and your policy carefully. Identify where the insurer's reasoning conflicts with the actual policy wording. Write a formal response to the insurer explaining why the rejection is incorrect. Provide new or additional evidence: medical reports, receipts, cancellation letters, FCO travel advice (to show you didn't travel to a known risk area), or proof of trying to minimize losses. Request reconsideration within 14 days. If refused, file a formal complaint citing the Insurance Act 2015 and unfair rejection grounds.
Escalate to the FOS if the insurer doesn't change their decision within 8 weeks.
Request the insurer's evidence of what you were asked. If the proposal form didn't ask about the condition, or you declared it and were accepted, the rejection is unfair. Challenge it.
Only if your policy specifically excludes travel to countries with FCO warnings AND the warning was in place when you booked. Check your policy and the FCO advice timeline.
Ambiguous policy terms are interpreted in your favor under insurance law. If an exclusion is unclear, the insurer cannot rely on it to deny your claim.
You have 6 years from the date of loss to escalate to the FOS. Don't delay—build your appeal case quickly and challenge within 30-60 days of rejection.
No. Appealing a rejected claim is not a complaint and won't affect future premiums or your ability to renew. Insurers cannot penalize appeals.
Use our Insurance Tools to draft an appeal letter and organize your evidence file.
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