East West Insurance Company Ltd (“EWIC”), a UK-based insurance company, entered administration on 12 October 2020. As a result, it is no longer paying claims.
To read more about how FSCS handles insurance claims, visit our 'Failed insurance companies - what happens next?' page.
FSCS declared the firm in default on 12 October 2020 and we’re stepping in to protect as many EWIC policies sold to UK individuals and small businesses as possible. We’re working closely with EWIC’s joint administrators, as well as the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Latest updates
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10 Apr, 2025
FSCS continues to work with the joint administrators of EWIC and their claims handlers to fund valid claims made against EWIC insurance policies.
For information on EWIC’s administration visit its website.
To contact EWIC claims’ handlers email claims@eastwest-insurance.com or call 0333 400 0393.
For information on FSCS compensation on EWIC claims please see the Q&As below.
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19 Apr, 2022
Since East West Insurance Company (EWIC) entered administration, FSCS has been working closely with the joint administrators to fund valid claims made against EWIC insurance policies. Up until Tuesday 5 April 2022, we have paid just under £7m in claims costs.
Typically, if a policyholder makes a successful claim on an insurance policy, their insurer takes over their rights so that they can try and recover money from a person or business who they believe was at fault.
If FSCS funds a successful claim because the insurer has failed, the policyholder’s rights go to FSCS instead. This gives us the legal right to try and recover the compensation we have paid.
We have published the terms of the various FSCS determinations on our Determinations papers page.
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11 Dec, 2020
The Joint Administrators’ Statement of Proposals and related documents are now available on the Administrators’ website - East West Insurance Company Limited Administration.
Q&A
How is FSCS helping UK customers of East West?
FSCS is working closely with EWIC’s joint administrators, EY – as well as the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority – to understand the impact of the insolvency.
The firm had a portfolio of 10- to 15-year structural defects insurance policies, designed to protect against latent defects in newly-built, converted or refurbished residential developments. These structural defects policies were issued to home buyers by Zurich, and the policies were subsequently transferred from Zurich Insurance plc to EWIC on 31 March 2018. Most of the claims against EWIC relate to structural defects policies covering issues such as defective cladding.
FSCS aims to protect most UK-based customers of EWIC who are individuals policyholders or small business policyholders with an annual turnover of less than £1m. Learn more about FSCS protection rules and limits.
Where can I learn more about EWIC and the administration process?
You can find updates on the administration at www.ey.com/en_uk/eastwestinsurance or you can contact the joint administrator’s office at eastwestinsurance@uk.ey.com.
I have an existing claim and repairs are currently in progress (or due to start shortly). What will happen now?
Please direct all claims enquiries to team@east-west-insurance.com or call 0333 4000 393.
Is my claim – or the repair work being carried out as a result of it – covered by FSCS?
We are working with the joint administrators and their claims handlers to identify which claims will benefit from FSCS protection.
What is FSCS’s protection limit for EWIC structural defect insurance claims?
If you have an eligible building guarantee claim, we are pleased to say that it will now be compensated at 100%, instead of the historical 90%.
This is due to an amendment to the Policyholder Protection Rules on 8 October 2020, which increased protection for customers.
Is my EWIC structural defects policy still valid?
Yes, all unexpired EWIC structural defects policies remain valid.
I can't see any reference to ‘East West Insurance Company Ltd’ in my structural defects policy documentation. What do I do?
Your policy documents might refer to ‘Zurich Insurance plc’ rather than ‘East West Insurance Company Ltd’. Zurich Insurance plc transferred this portfolio of structural defects policies to EWIC in March 2018.
You should have received a letter from EWIC at that time notifying you of the purchase and providing you with updated contact details. If you have any questions on this point you should contact claims@eastwest-insurance.com or call 0333 400 0393.
What do you mean by an eligible policyholder?
We offer protection to individuals or small businesses, with less than £1 million turnover for the 12 months preceding the start of the insurance policy they are claiming against.
You can check whether your revenue meets our eligibility criteria by looking at your company accounts that show Turnover. This may also be referred to as Revenue, Income or Sales. It's usually found in the first line of the ‘Trading and Profit and Loss Account’ section of your annual financial statement. Make sure to check company financial records that cover at least the 12 months preceding the start date of the insurance policy. That might mean you need look at two separate years of records.
There is likely to be more eligibility criteria, so we will update this page as we know more, and we will make customers aware of these criteria too.
Who can I speak to if I have a question about EWIC and the administration process?
Find updates on the administration at www.ey.com/en_uk/eastwestinsurance or you can contact the joint administrator’s office at eastwestinsurance@uk.ey.com.
What if I need to make a claim or check the status of an existing claim on my EWIC policy?
Please direct all claims enquiries to team@east-west-insurance.com or call 0333 400 0393.
Will I receive a premium refund if my policy is cancelled?
Your EWIC structural defects policy will run until the expiry date stated on your policy documents. No premium refunds will be due or paid in respect of EWIC structural defects policies.