UK homeowners are often surprised when a home insurance claim is rejected, but insurers can decline cover where damage is linked to wear and tear, gradual deterioration or poor maintenance. Recent FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) linked commentary shows this remains a common issue in home insurance, particularly where policy wording is unclear or the cause of damage is disputed. The key point is that insurers usually pay for sudden, insured events - not problems that build u

Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) reveal that insurers paid out over £600 million to cover storm and flood damage to UK homes and businesses in 2025 - the highest annual total on record. The rise in property claims reflects another punishing year of extreme weather, marked by 10 named storms between October 2024 and March 2025 and heavy rainfall across England & Wales. February alone saw more than a month's worth of rain in just two weeks, overwhelming dr