The number of disputes received by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) in the December quarter was down 3% on the corresponding period in 2012.

General insurance disputes have fallen due to greater availability and understanding of flood cover. The 1935 general insurance matters received comprised 26% of disputes.

Chief Ombudsman Shane Tregillis says FOS will this year focus on reducing backlogs and time taken to deal with new disputes.

Accepted disputes – when the service becomes actively involved – fell 5% across all financial sectors in the December quarter.

FOS closed 8529 disputes, with 53% resolved by financial service providers.

The service will hold general insurance open forums in Melbourne on March 19 and Sydney on April 16.