Insurance rejected your claim — what to do? Deadlines and objection
A rejection from your insurer is especially frustrating when you actually need the payout — whether it's home contents, liability, legal protection, or another private insurance. Here's a calm overview of what to check and how to respond.
Why do insurers often reject claims?
- Formal reasons – the claim was reported too late, or documents are missing.
- Exclusion clauses – certain types of damage are explicitly not covered in the policy.
- Breach of duty – e.g. false information given when signing up, or a late claim report.
- Disputed claim amount – the insurer acknowledges the claim but values it lower.
What to check first
- Does the stated rejection reason actually match your policy terms?
- Was the claim reporting deadline actually met?
- Were all relevant documents really submitted?
- Is the rejection explained comprehensibly, or is it just a generic statement?
Which deadlines matter?
Unlike with government agencies, there's no legal one-month objection deadline for private insurance — you can generally respond at any time. However, claims under an insurance contract typically expire after three years, and the longer you wait, the harder it gets to secure evidence. So respond promptly.
How should you respond?
1. The rejection seems valid – check whether supplementary insurance or another safeguard applies.
2. You think the rejection is wrong – object in writing, with a specific reference to the policy clause you believe supports the claim.
3. Documents are supposedly missing – check exactly what's missing and submit it on time.
4. The claim amount is disputed – submit your own evidence (photos, invoices, an expert report).
Quick example of an objection letter
- reference to the rejection (date, claim number)
- a specific explanation of why the claim is valid
- reference to attached evidence
- a request for reconsideration
This is exactly where BriefMagic helps: describe your situation in your own language – it turns into a clearly structured letter in German, with the right tone for the insurer. You don't need to know the policy terms in detail or hunt for the right phrasing yourself. There's a translation back into your language too, and the letter stays saved in case a reply comes.
Quick summary
- Check exactly what reason is given for the rejection.
- No fixed legal deadline, but respond promptly anyway.
- A clear, well-reasoned objection almost always makes sense.
- For a persistent rejection, the insurance ombudsman can help for free.
This article doesn't replace legal advice. For larger amounts, a Verbraucherzentrale or an insurance law lawyer can help further.