Thank you for an excellent response with really helpful advice; I will keep you updated.

I will contact the insurance company directly and see what they say? Maybe there is a legal basis for them to carry on with my insurance; I expect enhanced premiums but to be refused is pretty disheartening.

Hi I have Buildings and content insurance bought through Hastings Direct. In May 2016, we had a very large fire in our property which caused extensive damage costing upwards of £100k to repair. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it likely started in the washing machine (it wasn't on but was plugged in.) There had been no alterations to the wiring in the 10 months that we had owned the house. There is no suggestion of foul play. It is the first time I have made a claim in over 21 years of having home insurance. Hastings have now written to me to say that are refusing to invite me for renewal, no explanation as to why. Obviously it is because we have a very large and outstanding claim. However it strikes me as extremely unfair that we make one claim (not a string of claims, just 1 in 20 years) and we are now being massively punished for it. Now I have to declare that I have had insurance refused. Last year my insurance was approx. £240 per year; my new quote with another company for next year, having had insurance refused is now £2,500. Is there anything I can do to protest?