A Christchurch lawyer says it's time insurer IAG accepts a High Court ruling, and pays a couple the hundreds of thousands of dollars it owes them.

IAG's been ordered to pay Barbara and Francis Gidden more than $700,000 after trying to break an agreement over the rebuild of their Avondale home.

After the agreement was signed, State-owned IAG tried to reject the offer, and so a five year battle began.

Lane Neave partner Duncan Webb says IAG can appeal - but it shouldn't.

He says after everything it has put the Giddens through, you would think it would just pay up.

IAG deputy counsel Seamus Donnegan says the company has acted in good faith throughout its dealings with the Giddens.

He's disappointed IAG hasn't been able to settle the claim directly, but has had to go through the courts instead.