UK life insurance claim rejected? Around 1–3% of UK life insurance claims are declined. This 2026 guide walks through why, what to do next, and how to challenge the decision via the insurer's internal process and the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).
Why UK life insurance claims are declined
- Non-disclosure at application — around 70–80% of declined claims. The insurer argues information was not disclosed that would have affected the underwriting decision.
- Policy lapse — premium not paid, policy cancelled before the claim event.
- Exclusion triggered — activity or territory specifically excluded in the policy.
- Suicide within the exclusion period — typically the first 12 months after policy inception.
- Fraud — extremely rare, usually leads to criminal investigation.
Step-by-step — challenging a declinature
- Request a full written explanation. Every UK insurer must provide this in writing on request.
- Collate all original documents: the application form, any medical questionnaires, GP records showing what was known at application.
- Submit a formal complaint to the insurer's complaints department. Follow their complaints process carefully — you'll need their final response letter to escalate.
- Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) within 6 months. Free service; binding on the insurer up to £430,000.
- Consider specialist legal advice for sums above FOS limits or complex cases.
The CIDRA test — what the FOS looks at
For non-disclosure cases, the FOS applies the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (CIDRA):
- Deliberate or reckless non-disclosure — insurer can void the policy and keep premiums.
- Careless non-disclosure — insurer can either apply the underwriting they would have applied (proportionate payout) or void the policy if they prove they wouldn't have offered cover.
- Innocent non-disclosure (the applicant reasonably couldn't have known) — insurer must pay the full claim.
Evidence that strengthens a challenge
- The application form itself, showing exactly what was asked and answered.
- GP records from the time of application.
- Correspondence with the broker or insurer at application.
- Any prior underwriting decisions (offers, declines) from the same insurer or others.
- Medical evidence that the condition at issue wasn't diagnosed at application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Non-disclosure at application — accounting for roughly 70–80% of all declinatures. The insurer argues information was not disclosed that would have affected the underwriting.
Yes. Use the insurer's internal complaints process first. If unsatisfied, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) within 6 months — free and binding on the insurer up to £430,000.
Typically 4–12 months, though complex cases can take longer. The FOS is independent, specialist and binding.
The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012. It categorises non-disclosure as deliberate/reckless, careless, or innocent — each with different consequences at claim.
The original application form, GP records from the time of application, correspondence with the broker or insurer, and any prior underwriting decisions.
For straightforward cases, FOS is usually sufficient and free. For sums above £430,000 or complex cases (business structures, overseas elements, fraud allegations), specialist legal advice is worthwhile.