Building insurance complaints rise

The level of complaints relating to buildings insurance has been steadily rising according to a recent report, with an influx of claims following poor weather conditions also leading to a rise in the number of complaints about this type of cover.

Based on the level of complaints received by the Financial Ombudsman Service the level of buildings insurance complaints has risen by a third.

A spokesperson from the Financial Ombudsman Service recently stated: ‘The majority of claims are being handled well. The biggest issue we are seeing in relation to storms are problems with repairs rather than the whole claim being refused.

However, there is a steady stream of cases where firms have turned down claims on the basis that there was no storm at the time the damage occurred, or where it is agreed that there was a storm but the evidence indicates that it did not cause or contribute to the damage claimed for.’

Last year saw a tremendous rise in the level of claims being made, after many homes were affected by the terrible storms and floods in the summer.

In 2006 there were 1908 complaints made relating to buildings insurance according to FOS figures, but in 2007 – fuelled by a rise in the number of complaints – this figure rose to 2516 complaints.