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Having your car insurance claim rejected can be stressful and confusing. But don't panic – a rejection doesn't always mean the end of the road. Here's what you need to know about why claims get rejected and what you can do about it.
25 November 2025
Insurers reject claims for several common reasons. Understanding these can help you avoid problems in the first place - here are the most common reasons for claims being rejected:
Not disclosing important information: This is the biggest reason for rejected claims. If you didn't tell your insurer about modifications to your car, previous claims, driving convictions, or if you gave the wrong address, they can reject your claim. Research shows that 16% of rejected claims are due to undeclared modifications alone.
Wrong type of cover: If you're insured for social and domestic use only but have an accident while driving to work, your claim could be rejected. Always make sure your policy matches how you actually use your car.
Not reporting the incident quickly: Most policies require you to report accidents within 24-48 hours, even if you don't plan to claim. Waiting too long can give your insurer grounds to reject your claim.
Poor vehicle maintenance: Driving with illegal tyres (less than 1.6mm tread), faulty brakes, or broken lights can lead to rejection if these issues contributed to the accident.
If your insurer rejects your claim, don't give up. Follow these steps:
1. Ask for a detailed explanation: Contact your insurer and ask them to explain in writing exactly why your claim was rejected. Make sure you understand their reasoning.
2. Check your policy carefully: Look at your policy documents to see if the rejection is fair. Sometimes insurers make mistakes or interpret things differently than you might.
3. Make a formal complaint: If you disagree with the decision, complain to your insurer in writing. They must respond within eight weeks.
4. Contact the Financial Ombudsman Service: If you're still not happy after complaining to your insurer, you can take your case to the free Financial Ombudsman Service. In 2024/25, they received 15,200 car insurance complaints – and upheld 34% of cases in favour of consumers. This means around one in three people who complained got a result in their favour.
The Financial Ombudsman is completely independent and free to use. They'll look at your case fairly and can force the insurer to pay if they think the rejection was unfair.
You can contact the Financial Ombudsman here.
The best approach is to prevent rejections in the first place:
Always be completely honest when taking out or renewing your insurance
Tell your insurer immediately about any changes to your car or circumstances
Keep your car properly maintained with legal tyres and working lights
Report any incident straight away, even if it wasn't your fault
Different insurers have different rules and approaches to claims. Use the comparison tool to find insurers that match your needs – whether you've made modifications, need business cover, or want an insurer known for good claims handling. Taking a few minutes to compare could help you find better cover and avoid claim problems down the line.
Remember, if your claim is rejected unfairly, you have rights. Don't be afraid to challenge the decision.
Sources
WeCovr - UK Car Insurance Claims: 1 in 5 Rejected (August 2025)
https://wecovr.com/guides/uk-car-insurance-claims-1-in-5-rejected/
IM-Insured - Why your car insurance claim could be rejected (September 2024)
https://im-insured.co.uk/news/why-your-claim-could-be-rejected/
Financial Ombudsman Service - Annual complaints data and insight 2023/24
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/data-insight/our-insight/annual-complaints-data-insight-2023-24
Financial Ombudsman Service - Annual complaints data and insight 2024/25
https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/data-insight/our-insight/annual-complaints-data-insight-2024-25
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