In insurance, repudiation means that your insurer has formally refused to accept liability for your claim. If a claim is repudiated, it means the insurer believes the damage, loss, or incident is not covered under the terms of your policy, so they will not pay out.
Repudiation is a serious decision, it’s not just a delay or request for more information. It’s a clear statement that the claim is being turned down. In home insurance claims, this might happen if the cause of damage is excluded from cover, if a policy condition hasn’t been met, or if there’s a dispute over when or how the damage occurred.
Why would a home insurance claim be repudiated?
There are several common reasons a home insurance claim may be repudiated:
Damage isn’t covered
If the cause of damage is specifically excluded (e.g. wear and tear, gradual deterioration, storm damage under certain wind speeds), the insurer may repudiate the claim.
Breach of policy terms or warranties
If you’ve not met a condition of your policy, such as failing to set a burglar alarm or declaring that the property would be unoccupied, the insurer may use that breach to deny the claim.
Non-disclosure or misrepresentation
If the insurer finds out you didn’t disclose important information (known as non-disclosure) when taking out the policy (like previous claims or changes in occupancy), they may repudiate a claim and possibly cancel the policy.
Disputed timing
If the insurer believes the damage happened before the policy started (or during a lapsed period), they may argue they were never “on risk”, meaning they didn’t have active cover at the time the damage occurred, so they’re not responsible for the claim.
Repudiated vs Rejected: What’s the difference?
These terms are often used interchangeably but technically, there is a distinction:
- Repudiated claim = The insurer has formally declined liability under the terms of the policy.
- Rejected claim = The insurer has refused to pay out, possibly due to procedural issues (like not supplying evidence), but may still accept the claim in principle, if issues are resolved.
In practice, however, many insurers and advisors use both terms to mean a denied claim. What matters most is why the claim has been refused, and whether that refusal is fair or challengeable.
What does “Repudiated – Awaiting Insurer Concurrence” mean?
This status is sometimes used in internal insurer communications or on claims tracking systems. It means the Loss Adjuster has recommended repudiation, but the decision is awaiting final approval from a manager or technical underwriter. It can be reversed if further evidence is supplied.
What happens if your claim is repudiated?
If your claim is repudiated, you should:
- Ask for a clear written explanation outlining the exact reason(s)
- Review your policy wording to check if the refusal is justified
- Gather evidence (photos, reports, expert opinions) that may support your case
- Challenge the decision through your insurer’s complaints process
- Seek help from a Loss Assessor or complaint resolution service if needed
At this point, it’s important to act quickly. If the issue can’t be resolved, you may escalate it to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), who will review the claim independently.
FAQs
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What should I do if I believe my claim has been repudiated unfairly?
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Start by reviewing the reasons and your policy wording. If you believe the decision is wrong, submit a formal complaint to your insurer. You may also want to get help from a Loss Assessor, who can challenge the insurer’s interpretation and present supporting evidence on your behalf.
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Can a repudiated claim be appealed?
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Yes. You have the right to complain to your insurer first, and if that doesn’t resolve it, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service. You’ll usually need to do this within six months of your insurer’s final response.
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Can a repudiated claim be reversed?
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Yes, in some cases. If new evidence is submitted, or if it’s shown that the insurer misinterpreted the facts or policy wording, they may reopen the claim or offer a settlement. The Financial Ombudsman can also overturn repudiation decisions in some cases.
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Will a repudiated claim affect my future insurance?
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It can. Insurers often ask whether you’ve had claims refused or denied, so you may need to disclose this when applying for new policies. It’s another reason to try to resolve any dispute before accepting a repudiation.
