Refused and Cancelled Home Insurance image

If you have been refused home insurance or had a policy cancelled, then we could help!

Home insurance is essential for protecting your property, belongings, and finances from unexpected events such as fire, flooding, theft, and other disasters. However, there are instances where an insurance provider may refuse or cancel your home insurance, which can have serious consequences for you as a homeowner.

By clicking on the “Get Quotes” button below, our aim is to help you:

  • Access specialist providers of refused or cancelled home insurance
  • Have peace of mind that your home is insured against unexpected events
  • Find different levels of cover with monthly or annual payment options to suit your needs

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A guide to home insurance for people with refused & cancelled home insurance

This guide will explain the common reasons why home insurance may be refused or cancelled; the steps you can take if this happens; and other tips.

Why have I been refused or cancelled home insurance?

It can be daunting if you are refused home insurance, or it is cancelled. Understanding why it happened and what it means may help you find appropriate home insurance.

What is refused home insurance?

A refusal occurs when an insurance company decides not to offer you a policy or renew an existing one. This can happen at the application stage or when you request a renewal. An insurer can refuse cover for a variety of reasons, including perceived risks or issues with your application.

What is cancelled home insurance?

Home insurance cancellation happens when an insurer terminates your policy before its scheduled end date. This could be due to reasons that emerge after the policy starts, such as undisclosed risks, missed payments, or fraudulent information.

What are the reasons for home insurance refusal or cancellation?

There are several reasons why your home insurance might be refused or cancelled. Understanding these reasons can help you prevent or resolve issues with your insurance provider.

Non-disclosure of information

When applying for home insurance, it’s essential you provide accurate and complete information. If you fail to disclose relevant details, such as previous claims, high-risk features of your home, significant property alterations, or previous financial difficulties, insurers may refuse your cover.

If you have experienced financial difficulties in the past that are reflected on your credit file, please read more here:

Failure to pay premiums

Insurance policies are contracts that rely on regular payments. If you miss payments or default on your premiums, insurers may cancel your policy. Some insurers may provide a grace period for late payments, but continuous non-payment will lead to cancellation.

High-risk and non-standard property

Certain homes may be considered high-risk by insurers due to their location, structure, or use. For example, properties in flood-prone areas or older homes with outdated wiring or plumbing may be more likely to face insurance refusals or cancellations. If an insurer determines that your property is too much of a risk to insure, they may refuse to issue a policy or cancel an existing one.

If your property is of a non-standard construction (e.g., it is thatched or is at risk of subsidence), please visit our non-standard home insurance page for more information and to get a quote.

Frequent or high-value claims

If you have made extensive claims or submitted a high-value claim, your insurer may cancel or refuse to renew your policy if they feel you are making too many claims—even if they are valid.

Fraud or misrepresentation

Providing false information, either intentionally or accidentally, can result in the immediate cancellation of your policy. If you misrepresent your situation, property details, or claims history, the insurer may deem the policy void and refuse future cover.

Changes to the property

If you make significant changes to your home, such as adding an extension, converting the loft, or renting out a room, and fail to inform your insurer, this can lead to cancellation. Insurers base their cover on specific property details, and any changes that increase risk need to be reported.

Did you know?

Many insurers ask on their application forms whether you’ve ever had a policy cancelled or refused. If you fail to disclose a previous cancellation or refusal when asked, this can lead to serious consequences, such as having a future policy invalidated. Even if the reason for cancellation or refusal seems minor, being transparent about it is crucial, as insurers share data and can cross-check your history.

What to do if your home insurance is refused or cancelled

If your home insurance is refused or cancelled, there are steps you can take to try and address the situation.

Understand why your home insurance has been refused, declined or cancelled

Contact your insurer and ask for a clear explanation. This will help you avoid the same issue in the future and give you the opportunity to correct any misunderstandings or mistakes.

Address the issue

Once you understand the reason, take steps to address the issue. For example, if your insurance was cancelled due to missed payments, make arrangements to settle any outstanding balances. If it was cancelled due to non-disclosure or misrepresentation, correct the information and be transparent with future insurers.

Use specialist insurers of refused and cancelled home insurance

If your home insurance has been refused or cancelled, mainstream insurers may be reluctant to offer cover. In this case, consider using our service to access specialist providers.

Be honest in future applications

It’s important to be upfront about your history of declined or cancelled insurance when applying for future policies. Insurers may ask whether you’ve ever had a policy refused or cancelled, and failure to disclose this information could result in the invalidation of your new policy.

Improve your home’s risk profile

If your home is deemed high-risk, take steps to reduce the risks. This could include installing security systems, upgrading plumbing or wiring, or taking flood prevention measures. By improving your home’s risk profile, you may increase your chances of securing cover in the future.

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Money savings tips for declined or cancelled home insurance

There are things you can do that may help you find affordable home insurance where you have previously been refused cover or had it cancelled. These include:

  • Paying your premiums annually – Opting to pay for your refused or cancelled home insurance in one lump sum for the entire year, rather than monthly, may often be more cost-effective.
  • Increasing your excess – Every insurance policy includes an excess, which is the amount you’re responsible for paying when you make a successful claim. By agreeing to a voluntary excess on top of the compulsory excess at the time of purchase, you may potentially reduce your overall premium costs.
  • Shopping around – Using a comparison service may help you find specialist insurers and policies for people who have been declined home insurance. You can click the button below to potentially see a selection of refused and cancelled home insurance policies all from one place – saving you time and money.

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In summary: Buying refused and cancelled home insurance

Having your home insurance refused or cancelled can be stressful, but it’s not the end of the road. By understanding why this happens and taking proactive steps to address the issue, you typically may be able to secure new cover and protect your home. Finally …

  • Always be transparent with insurers
  • Use a service such as ours to access specialist providers of home insurance for people that have been denied cover
  • Take steps to reduce the risk factors that may have led to your policy being cancelled or refused.

Don’t have your postcode? No problem, click here.

Refused and Cancelled Home Insurance FAQs

Why was my home insurance refused?

Home insurance may be refused due to factors like inaccurate information, high-risk property features (e.g., location in a flood zone), poor credit history, or a high volume of previous claims. Insurers assess risk based on these factors and may deny cover if they believe insuring your home presents too great a risk.

What does it mean if my home insurance is cancelled?

If your home insurance is cancelled, it means the insurer has terminated the policy before its expiry date. This could happen due to missed payments, non-disclosure of important information, or changes to your circumstances that were not reported to the insurer.

What should I do if my home insurance is cancelled or refused?

If your home insurance is cancelled or refused, contact the insurer to understand the reason. Address any issues they raise, and if you still face difficulties, look for insurers who specialise in high-risk customers. Our service can help with this.

Do I need to tell future insurers if my home insurance was cancelled or refused?

Yes, when applying for new home insurance, you are typically required to disclose if your previous insurance was cancelled or refused. Failure to provide this information can lead to your new policy being invalidated.

How does non-disclosure lead to my insurance being cancelled?

If you fail to disclose important information, such as starting a business from home or leaving the property unoccupied for long periods, insurers may cancel your policy. Insurers rely on accurate information to assess the risk of insuring your home.

You can find out more about what you need to do if you leave your property unoccupied for long periods on our unoccupied property insurance page.

Can my home insurance be cancelled due to missed payments?

Yes, if you miss premium payments, insurers may cancel your policy. Some insurers offer a grace period for missed payments, but repeated non-payment can lead to policy termination.

Will a history of cancelled home insurance affect my premiums?

Yes, having a history of cancelled home insurance can result in higher premiums. Insurers may see you as a high-risk customer and charge more for cover or offer fewer options.

Can I switch insurers after my home insurance has been cancelled?

Yes, you can switch insurers after a cancellation, but be transparent and explain why your previous policy was cancelled.

Can I get quotes for other types of insurance if I have previously had a policy refused or cancelled in addition to home insurance?

Yes, the panel may be able to help you with refused and cancelled car insurance – just complete a simple form for consideration.