Not upheld: Home insurance claim disputes complaint against Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE

Decision detail

Summary

Mr J claimed on a building warranty for a defective flat roof discovered in 2023, but Allianz declined the claim because the policy had expired in February 2023 and the claim was not notified until September 2023. Mr J argued the roof should last 50 years and felt the decline was unfair. The ombudsman upheld Allianz's decision, finding that the warranty only covers defects discovered and notified within the cover period, and Mr J's late notification placed the claim outside the policy terms. No remedy was awarded.

The Ombudsman's reasoning

The warranty is designed to provide cover for defects discovered and notified within specific cover periods, not to ensure properties remain defect-free or that components last their expected lifespan. The policy clearly states indemnification applies only for defects discovered and notified within the cover period. Since Mr J did not notify Allianz until September 2023, seven months after the February 2023 expiry date, the claim falls outside the policy terms.

How this compares

Source

Read the original decision on the Financial Ombudsman Service website