Lloyd’s has asked a Californian court to nullify a contingent non-appearance and cancellation policy taken out by Michael Jackson’s tour promoters AEG Live.

Lloyd’s underwriters Cathedral and Talbot, who are named in the writ, are disputing the policy on the basis that the promoters failed to properly disclose Jackson’s medical history “including, but not limited to, his apparent prescription drug use and/or drug addiction”.

They also say a medical examination was not carried out as required, and that AEG Live lied by claiming that Jackson had not seen a doctor, other than a cosmetic surgeon, since 2005.

After the singer’s drug-overdose death in 2009, AEG Live claimed on the £10.6 million ($16.5 million) policy over the cancelled 50-show London run on his “This is it” farewell tour.

The policy provided cover for cancellation of the first 30 London dates, but the underwriters refuted the claim, which has ended up in court after failed attempts to reach an out-of-court settlement.

Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for Mr Jackson’s estate, has described the Lloyd’s complaint as “nothing more than an insurance company trying to avoid paying a legitimate claim by the insured”.

Lloyd’s has declined to comment.