The number of complaints to the UK Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) concerning buildings and contents insurance increased 10% to 4510 in the year to March 31.

Problems with buildings insurance claims dominated, while contents cover accounted for 1436 disputes, down 18.9% on the previous year.

FOS says buildings claims disputes reflect the problems that can arise when third parties such as loss adjusters and contractors are involved. “We hear from people who are frustrated at the amount of time and stress that seems to be involved in co-ordinating and chasing up work carried out by a range of third parties acting on insurers’ behalf.”

Insurers have acknowledged this is an area they must improve on, FOS says.