Insurance Policy Fundamentals
Understanding your policy shouldn’t feel like cracking a code, so we break things down simply, helping you spot what actually matters before trouble strikes.
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Insurance Tips and Advice
Clear property insurance guidance can help homeowners, landlords and business owners understand their cover, recognise potential gaps and make better-informed decisions before or during a claim.
Property insurance can help protect against events such as fire, theft, storm, flood and escape of water, subject to the policy terms, limits and exclusions. Without adequate cover, making an insurance claim after property damage can become more difficult and may leave the policyholder responsible for part of the loss.
From understanding insurance policies to preparing evidence and reviewing settlement decisions, we break down complex topics into practical, easy-to-follow guidance. Our guides can help you understand the process, identify questions to raise and make more informed decisions about your insurance claim.
Explore our latest insurance tips and advice, including practical guidance on policy cover, property risks, making a claim and resolving common claim problems.
INSURANCE GUIDES
Browse Insurance Guides by Topic
Browse practical guidance on policy wording, property risks and making a claim. Choose a topic to find the information you need.
Property Risks & Damage Types
From leaks and flooding to fire and storm damage, these guides explain common property risks, immediate actions and the insurance issues that may follow.
Property Risk Guides
Guidance on Making a Claim
Practical guidance on preparing, documenting and progressing an insurance claim, including what to do when questions, delays or disputes arise.
Making a Claim Guides
Risk Management & Prevention
A few small changes today can save you huge stress later, so these guides focus on simple ways to protect your home year-round.
Risk Management Guides
Loss Adjuster Support
Understand the difference between insurer-appointed and independent loss adjusters, what each role involves and when independent claim support may be appropriate.
Loss Adjuster Guides
Insurance Trends & Technology
Insurance is changing quickly, so we explore developments affecting property owners, from climate risk and policy changes to new claims technology.
Insurance Trends Guides
Insurance Terminology
Clear explanations of common insurance terms, policy wording and claims terminology to help you understand correspondence, decisions and the claims process.
Insurance Terminology Guides
Extra Guides & Side Topics
This section brings together additional insurance guidance, specialist subjects and recent updates that sit outside the main categories.
More Insurance Guides
Podcasts From Michael Williamson
Episodes from Michael Williamson covering property protection, policy terminology, legal considerations and practical insurance claim issues.
Listen to the PodcastsLatest Insurance Tips and Advice
Insurance Claim Rejected? Decision Review Checklist
A practical checklist for reviewing a rejected property insurance claim, including the insurer’s reasoning, relevant policy wording, supporting evidence and possible complaint or review routes.
FCA Insurance Rule Changes: What Homeowners Need to Know
Recent FCA insurance rule changes explained for homeowners, including what has changed, which consumer protections remain and what to check in policies and claims.
Burst Water Pipe? What to Do Next and How to Protect Your Claim
Practical steps after a burst water pipe, from limiting further damage and staying safe to recording evidence and preparing the resulting home insurance claim.
Home Insurance Advice for Cover, Claims and Property Damage
Home insurance guidance covering buildings and contents cover, policy limits, underinsurance, renewals and the key checks to make before or during a property claim.
Guide On What To Do If Your Claims Company Is No Longer FCA-Authorised
What to do if a company handling your insurance claim loses FCA authorisation, including how to check its status, responsibilities and your available options.
Need An FCA-Authorised Claims Company For An Existing Claim?
Guidance for policyholders seeking FCA-authorised support with an existing insurance claim, including what to review before appointing another firm to assist with the claim.
Storm Damage Insurance Claim Success Story
A Somerset homeowner’s storm damage claim was initially declined on wear-and-tear grounds before further evidence and review led to the claim being resolved.
Cricket & Bowling Club Declined Escape of Water Claim Overturned
A cricket and bowling club’s declined escape-of-water claim was accepted after further evidence and review, including reinstatement works and documented business interruption losses.
What “Independent” Really Means in an Insurance Claim
What independence means in an insurance claim, including who appoints, instructs, pays and receives reports from a claims professional, and why potential conflicts matter.
Storm and Coastal Water Damage Insurance Claims Help
Guidance on storm and coastal water damage, covering immediate safety, evidence, water ingress, damp, insurer assessments and the practical stages of a property claim.
Does Home Insurance Cover Damage From Storm?
A clear look at when home insurance may cover storm damage, how insurers assess causation and property condition, and what evidence can support a claim.
Water Leaks in the Home: Your Complete Survival Guide
Common causes and warning signs of household water leaks, with practical steps for ceiling or shower leaks, preventing further damage and considering an insurance claim.
CLEAR, PROFESSIONAL CLAIM SUPPORT
Why Policyholders Speak to ILA
A difficult claim often involves policy wording, technical evidence, repair costs and several parties. Our Loss Adjusters help policyholders understand the position and approach the next step with clearer information.
Policyholder-Focused
ILA is appointed by homeowners, landlords and businesses, not by the insurer handling their claim.
Experienced Claims Team
Our team brings experience across insurance claims, loss adjusting, damage assessment and settlement review.
Evidence-Led Guidance
We review the policy, correspondence and available evidence before explaining what appears clear and what may need further work.
FCA Authorised
Our regulated status supports clear information, appropriate conduct and fair treatment throughout the customer journey.
Independent Loss Adjusters Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance distribution activities.
Need Clearer Direction on Your Claim?
Tell us what has happened and where the claim currently stands. We will review the initial information and explain whether ILA may be able to help.
Every claim depends on its individual circumstances, supporting evidence and policy wording. No particular outcome can be guaranteed.