Phone insurance, a warranty, cover from my card or my energy bill: why don’t they pay, and how do I stop them?

Read the reason for the refusal and the terms: such policies often have exclusions, an excess and conditions, such as reporting quickly or using an approved repairer. EIOPA has flagged gadget insurance and products sold alongside others as areas with low claims ratios and exclusions that narrow cover. Ask in writing for the clause the refusal relied on. If you disagree, complain; in the United Kingdom (not Cyprus), 31% of gadget insurance complaints in 2024/25 were decided in the consumer’s favour.

It depends on the policy’s definition: “unattended” often means out of your sight or reach, or not under your control. Ask in writing for the exact definition and explain the circumstances, with the police report. If the definition is unclear for your situation, say so in your complaint.

Ask the company in writing for proof of your agreement (a signed form, a recording or online acceptance) and the policy documents. If you did not agree, say so and ask for cancellation and a refund of what you paid. EIOPA has flagged insurance sold through energy and telecom companies, with automatic renewals and high commissions, as a consumer risk. If they refuse, make a written complaint.

It depends: some extended warranties are insurance contracts from an insurer, others a promise by the shop or the manufacturer. Ask in writing who issues it and whether it is supervised as insurance. If it is insurance from an insurer supervised by the Superintendent of Insurance, the Financial Ombudsman can examine a complaint; otherwise other consumer routes may apply. We could not confirm this for every product, so check case by case.

Tell the company in writing that you do not want a renewal, before its date, and keep proof. Stop the standing order or card payment after you have told them, to avoid disputes. If it has already renewed, ask in writing for cancellation and a refund for the period you will not use. EIOPA has flagged automatic renewals as a consumer risk.

Ask your bank in writing which charge it applies, when it told you and under which terms. In Greece (not Cyprus), such charges on premium standing orders were refunded after the Consumer Ombudsman intervened. Bank charges are a matter between you and your bank; if the bank does not answer, the Financial Ombudsman also examines complaints against banks.

Some legal protection policies fund a case only if it has reasonable prospects of success, and the insurer judges that, often with a lawyer’s opinion. Ask in writing for the reasons and the opinion it relied on, and whether there is a procedure for disagreement, such as an independent lawyer’s view. If you disagree, follow the complaint route.

Pet policies usually exclude conditions that showed signs before cover began, and a vet’s note can count as such a sign. Ask in writing which note was used and how the policy defines a pre-existing condition. If the earlier note concerned something else, get a written statement from your vet and complain. In the United Kingdom (not Cyprus), 42% of pet insurance complaints in 2024/25 were decided in the consumer’s favour.

Business interruption cover often requires physical damage to the premises, unless the policy has specific extensions, for example for disease or denial of access. Ask in writing which clause was applied and read the extensions. If the wording is unclear for your situation, raise it in a complaint, and for a business dispute speak to a lawyer.

First to the company that issued the policy, which should be named in the documents: find the insurer’s name and its complaints contact. If the insurer is supervised by the Superintendent of Insurance, you can then go to the Financial Ombudsman. Keep screenshots of what you saw and accepted, and the confirmation e-mail.

No. An AI tool is not a registered insurance intermediary, and EIOPA notes that some people may think it is. In the EU, 9% used AI tools when buying insurance, and 30% say they trust AI recommendations. Use it to understand terms if you like, but check who sells the policy, and for your needs speak to a registered intermediary.

It may be worth something, but only for what it actually covers. Ask for the full terms, not only the leaflet, and check conditions such as paying with the card, the limits and the exclusions. Do not rely on it as your only cover without checking.

Check whether it was required for the loan and what it covers: often job loss, illness or death, with waiting periods and exclusions. EIOPA found across the EU that such insurance was often sold tied to loans, with low claims ratios (about 18% of premiums for consumer credit) and high commissions to banks. Ask in writing whether you can cancel, which refund applies and what happens if you repay early.

Check what the policy promises: some set response times, others only “as soon as possible”, and limits may apply. Ask in writing why it took four days and what the policy says. If you paid for an emergency repair yourself, ask whether it can be refunded. In the United Kingdom (not Cyprus), 39% of home emergency complaints in 2024/25 were decided in the consumer’s favour.

Some roadside policies cover breakdowns only away from home, and “at home” cover is an extra. Check the definition in your policy and the level you bought. If the wording was unclear, mention it in your complaint, and ask about upgrading if you need it.