Motor insurance is still the most complained-about product taken to the Financial Ombudsman Service. New complaints rose by almost 12% in the first three months of 2026, and the line now draws more than twice as many referrals as any other type of insurance.
What the latest figures show
The ombudsman received 3,519 new motor insurance complaints between January and March 2026, up from 3,145 in the same period of 2025. Buildings insurance was the next most disputed line, with travel insurance third.
- Motor insurance: 3,519 new complaints in Q1 2026, up 12% year on year.
- Buildings insurance: the second most complained-about line.
- Travel insurance: third, continuing a recent upward trend in referrals.
Analysis by Insurance DataLab, published by FT Adviser on 1 July 2026, highlights that larger product lines naturally attract more complaints. Matt Scott, co-founder of Insurance DataLab, said the figures show why insurers should track both complaint volumes and outcomes, because shifts in either can flag emerging problems or improving service.
James Dipple-Johnstone, interim chief ombudsman, said in May that case volumes had started to return to more historical levels after a period of extraordinary demand. The ombudsman resolved more than 224,000 complaints in the past year.
What this means for you
Most insurance disputes the ombudsman sees are about how a claim was handled, not about the sale. If your insurer rejects a claim, delays payment, or applies the policy in a way you think is wrong, you can challenge the decision and then escalate to the ombudsman if you remain unhappy.
Our guides explain how to complain about an insurer or broker and how the Financial Ombudsman Service resolves insurance disputes.
Sources
- Financial Ombudsman Service, quarterly complaints data, Q1 2026 (analysed by Insurance DataLab, FT Adviser, 1 July 2026).
- FT Adviser, “Motor insurance complaints rise 12% at Fos”, 1 July 2026.