Concurrent causation occurs when two or more separate events or causes happen at the same time, or close together, and both contribute to the damage or loss. In home insurance, this concept becomes important when one cause is covered by your policy and the other is not.
It’s often a grey area in claims, and how it’s handled depends on your specific policy wording and the laws in your jurisdiction.
Examples of concurrent causation in home insurance
- Storm and wear and tear: A storm causes part of the roof to collapse, but it’s later revealed that the roof was already weakened by long-term wear and tear. The storm is an insured event, but wear and tear is excluded, raising questions over what will and won’t be paid for.
- Flood and construction defect: A flood damages a property, but poor drainage design from a previous extension makes the flooding worse. Flood damage is covered, but building faults typically are not.
- Fire and arson: A fire breaks out due to faulty wiring (covered), but it’s later discovered that someone deliberately made the situation worse (arson, which may be excluded under certain circumstances)
Why concurrent causation matters
Concurrent causation is a common reason for claim disputes. Insurers may try to argue that the excluded cause was the main reason for the loss, while policyholders argue that the insured cause played a key role.
Whether the insurer pays out depends on the policy wording – for example, whether it contains an anti-concurrent causation clause, which allows insurers to deny a claim even if a covered cause contributed to the damage.
FAQ’s
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What is an anti-concurrent causation clause?
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The anti-concurrent causation clause allows an insurer to exclude cover if an excluded cause contributed to the damage – even if a covered cause was also involved.
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Can you still claim if one cause is covered?
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It depends on your policy. Some insurers may cover part of the damage, while others may decline the whole claim if an excluded cause was involved.
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How can you reduce the risk of claim rejection due to concurrent causation?
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Make sure your home is properly maintained and review your policy exclusions carefully. In complex claims, a Loss Assessor can help argue your case and navigate grey areas.
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What if the causes happened days or weeks apart – does it still count as concurrent causation?
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Possibly. Even if the events didn’t occur at exactly the same time, if they both contributed to the loss in a closely linked way, insurers may still treat it as concurrent causation. The specific timing and how the events relate are key.
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Are insurers required to explain how they applied concurrent causation rules?
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Yes. If a claim is denied or reduced due to concurrent causation, your insurer should explain their reasoning in writing. If you don’t agree, you have the right to challenge the decision.
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Is concurrent causation handled the same way by all insurers?
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No. Some insurers may apply strict anti-concurrent causation clauses, while others may be more flexible. Policies vary, and so does the legal interpretation depending on your location.
