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Claim yourself or use a claims company?
Updated 5 November 2026 · General information, not legal advice.
Quick answerClaiming yourself is free and you keep all the money. A claims company handles the paperwork but takes a fee, for example Compensair says 25 to 35 percent, only if you win. Claim yourself if the delay is clear-cut and you have your details; consider a company if the claim is old, complicated or already refused.
| Claim yourself | Claims company | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | A fee, usually a percentage of the compensation. Compensair, for example, says it charges 25 to 35 percent only if you receive compensation. Check the exact fee before you agree. |
| Effort | You gather evidence and write to the airline | They handle the correspondence |
| If the airline refuses | You escalate to an ADR scheme or the CAA | They may pursue it, which can take longer |
| Best for | Straightforward delays where you have your details | Complicated or old claims, or if you do not want the hassle |
How to decide
- If you have your booking details and the delay was clear-cut, claiming yourself keeps all the money.
- If the claim is old, complicated or already refused, a claims company may be worth the fee.
- Read the terms first: fees, what happens if the claim fails, and how long it can take.
Be careful of lookalike sites. Some sites look like official channels but are claims companies. Check who you are dealing with and what they charge.
Frequently asked questions
Do claims companies charge if the claim fails?
Many say no win, no fee, but terms differ. Read the terms before you agree.
Sources and official bodies: CAA: delays and compensation · CAA: cancellations · CAA: resolving travel problems · GOV.UK. Reviewed 5 November 2026.