I may have made a mistake on my application: should I still claim?
Yes, still make the claim. Insurers assess each case, and many mistakes are minor or would not have changed the terms. If you realise something was wrong before you need to claim, tell the insurer now. Under UK consumer insurance law, what happens depends on whether the mistake was careless or deliberate and what the insurer would have done if it had known.
Tell the insurer as soon as you notice
Correcting an application before a claim gives the insurer the chance to update your terms. That might mean no change, a different premium or an exclusion, and it removes uncertainty for later.
What the insurer can do
If a mistake was careless, the insurer's response should reflect what it would have done with the correct information, for example paying a proportion of a claim if it would have charged more. Deliberate or reckless misrepresentation is treated much more seriously.
If a claim is affected
Ask the insurer to explain its decision in writing. If you disagree, you can complain to the insurer and then to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which can review whether the insurer acted fairly.
This article is general information about UK protection insurance, not personalised financial advice. Policy terms vary between insurers and products, so always check your own policy documents.
Last updated 27 October 2026