Claim Delays – Home Insurance Claimants Left Waiting for Claim Progression

Waiting months or even years for resolution is the last thing you expect when you make a property claim. Unfortunately, this is becoming a reality for many. From April 2022 to March 2023, complaints about building insurance claims delays to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) rose by 50%. These delays not only cause anger and frustration. They also lead to anxiety and even financial difficulty at an already stressful time.

In this article, we’ll examine the issue of claim delays and give our advice on how to overcome one.

Which? Case Study

In a case study provided by the consumer group Which?, policyholder Marie Hooley suffered a devastating fire to her home back in March. Marie sorted through her possessions and decided to repair, clean or dispose of each item. After doing so, she submitted invoices to her insurance company. It was at this point that her claim began to stall and her insurer seemed to go quiet.

Claim Delays

Over nine months, Marie repeatedly contacted her insurance company, but received only vague assurances and promises regarding progress updates. According to Which? Marie stated that she felt powerless. The delay even left her unable to move forward with other aspects of her claim. Marie was lucky that she was able to cope financially with the delay in payments. Other customers facing similar hold-ups are not always so fortunate.

Chasing Insurers

In a Which? survey of home insurance claimants conducted last September, 30% said that they’d had to chase their provider at least once in order to progress their claim. Gary Rogers, director of property claims management company – Property Claim Assist, states that: “No one should have to chase their claim in order for it to be progressed. It is completely unjustified to put this pressure on the claimant’s shoulders when they’re already in a heightened state of stress. Claim delays are a systemic flaw within the industry. Insurers need to do more to prevent this from happening to others.”

How to Overcome a Claim Delay

If you believe your claim has been unfairly delayed or if your insurer is failing to keep you updated throughout the process, you’re not alone. One of the best ways to speed up the process is to appoint a Loss Assessor. They’ll handle the claim on your behalf.

Director of Property Claim Assist, Simon Colburn, explains: “Loss Assessors are experts in understanding the claim process. We apply the pressure on your insurer to speed up the process. Our goal is to help return your home to its pre-loss condition as quickly as possible. If you’re facing a delay and don’t know where to turn, it is always worth reaching out to a Loss Assessor for professional support.”

Property Claim Assist is always on your side. Speak directly with our team today by calling 0333 577 2720.

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Client Feedback

Reviews from previous policyholders that have appointed Property Claim Assist to manage their claim.

We pride ourselves on managing your property insurance claim, ensuring that we take the weight off your shoulders, with a stress free process.

“Thank goodness I had these guys by my side”

After a traumatic accidental house fire I was a little lost on how to deal with the insurance and the claim. I reached out to these guys and thank god I did! Simon and everyone else at Property Claim Assist were invaluable and I honestly don’t know if I could have got through it all without them. Handling a big and complex insurance claim is very stressful and complicated. The guys at PCA explained how everything worked and guided me through it all and took up a lot of slack and a lot of the work. Thank goodness I had these guys to depend on.

Paul, Fire Insurance Claim
“Professional Handling of the Claim while I was Overseas”
Professional, timely, efficient and effective handling of a massive Escape of Water Claim in a Grade II listed cottage. Gary knows the process, has the contacts and gets things done. I was having to deal with this loss while overseas, so having the Property Claim Assist interfacing with the insurance company, surveyor and contractors was a godsend. Would not have had such a fabulous remediation without Property Claim Assist.

Dr Ford, Fire Insurance Claim, Fire Insurance Claim

“Amazing from start to finish”

Where do I start…Property Claim Assist took our case on when no one else would. They have been brilliant from day 1. We were fighting a loosing battle with the insurance company. They were 100% professional and adept from start to finish. They have been patient and empathetic and got the job done. We will be forever grateful to PCA. The experience has been life changing in many ways but we are in a massively better off position than we were before we contacted them. I cannot recommend PC Assist highly enough.

Alison, Property Insurance Claim, Fire Insurance Claim