When a Single Clause Saves the Claim: How CEC Secured an £85K Payout for a Structural Failure

Sometimes, it’s a single sentence buried in the fine print that turns a rejected claim into a full payout. For brokers, these grey areas are risky territory, especially when insurers apply exclusions narrowly, leaving clients out of pocket and pointing fingers.

That’s where CEC comes in. We act as a claims partner to brokers, stepping in when things get complex and helping to protect relationships, reputations, and renewals.

The Case: Structural Damage, Business Closure, Claim Rejected

A broker approached us after their retail client’s shop was forced to close due to structural cracking. A key beam had shifted, requiring urgent propping and repairs. The business was losing money fast, but the insurer declined the claim, citing an exclusion for defective workmanship under the accidental damage section.

It looked like a dead end. Even the client agreed that the cause was poor workmanship.

CEC Intervention: Single Clause Saves the Claim

When we reviewed the policy in detail, we found a key clause many would have missed. The exclusion only applied if the defective workmanship, operational error or admission was ‘by the insured or an employee of the insured’.

In this case, the beam had been installed years earlier by a third-party contractor. The exclusion didn’t apply.

We presented our case clearly to the insurer, backed by policy wording and a full event timeline. They reversed their position.

The Result: Full Claim Paid, Broker Looks Like a Hero

The client received a full £85,000 settlement, most of it covering loss of profit during the closure. Even better, the insurer pursued recovery from the contractor, so the broker’s client wasn’t penalised with a claim loading down the line.

Why This Matters to Brokers

This is exactly the kind of situation that can damage client trust and strain broker relationships. The claim seemed straightforward – until it wasn’t. That’s not a gap in the broker’s service, it’s a gap in what anyone can do without deep claims expertise.

And that’s what CEC brings to the table.

CEC: Your Claims Support Partner

• We interrogate exclusions, limits, and conditions to find the arguments others miss.

• We don’t just push paperwork, we help protect your client’s business and your professional reputation.

• We speak the insurer’s language. With decades of technical loss adjusting experience, we know how to build arguments that stick.

• A claim that’s paid fairly builds trust. A claim that’s unfairly declined does the opposite. We help tip the balance the right way and keep your clients loyal.

• When things get complex, bringing in CEC shows clients you’ve got their back, with the right experts on call. In short, we make you look good.

Don’t wait for a rejection to ask for help. Bring us in early, and we’ll help you build stronger claims from day one.

If you’ve got a tough claim, or a nervous client, get in touch.

CEC is here to help you secure the settlement, and strengthen your client relationships.