Non-Disclosure of Material Facts
The most common reason for policy voidance (not just claim rejection, but cancellation of the entire policy). Under Irish insurance law, you are required to disclose all facts that would influence a reasonable insurer's underwriting decision — whether or not you were directly asked.
This includes:
- Previous claims, even if unrelated to the current claim
- Penalty points not disclosed at inception or renewal
- Previous policy cancellations or refusals
- A prior criminal conviction
- Medical conditions relevant to travel or life insurance
Serious Risk
Non-disclosure does not have to be intentional to void a policy. Innocent non-disclosure — forgetting a minor claim from six years ago — can still give an insurer grounds to void cover. Always check your records before renewing.
Breach of Policy Conditions
Conditions precedent to liability are requirements that must be met for any claim to succeed. Breach of a condition precedent automatically voids that claim — even if the breach had no bearing on the loss itself.
Common examples:
- Failing to notify the insurer within the required time window
- Not having approved security locks fitted (home insurance)
- Leaving a vehicle with keys in the ignition when unattended
- Not maintaining the property in a reasonable state of repair
The Event Is Explicitly Excluded
Many rejections involve cover that the policyholder assumed was included but was excluded in the small print. The most frequent:
- Gradual damage: A ceiling that collapsed after years of minor leaks is not a sudden, unexpected event — it is the result of gradual deterioration.
- Intentional acts: Damage caused deliberately, including by someone living in the household.
- Consequential loss: Loss of use, business interruption, or indirect financial loss are rarely covered under standard home or motor policies.
- Theft without forced entry: If a thief entered through an unlocked door or window, many theft clauses do not apply.
Misrepresentation on the Application
Distinct from non-disclosure — misrepresentation involves giving incorrect information, even unintentionally. This includes:
- Incorrectly stating the main driver on a motor policy
- Understating annual mileage significantly
- Declaring a property owner-occupied when it is let
- Overstating the value of a vehicle or contents
Late Notification
Most policies require claims to be reported promptly — many specify 24–72 hours for certain events (theft must typically be reported to the Gardaí and the insurer within 24 hours). Late notification can give insurers grounds to reduce or refuse a claim, even if the delay did not affect the outcome.
Practice
When in doubt, notify your insurer immediately — even if you are unsure whether you will make a formal claim. Notification preserves your rights. You can decide not to proceed with the claim later without losing anything.
What to Do If Your Claim Is Rejected
- Request the rejection in writing with specific reasons and policy references
- Check whether the stated reason is actually supported by the policy wording
- Submit a formal complaint to the insurer's internal complaints department
- If unresolved within 40 business days, escalate to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO)
- The FSPO can direct insurers to pay claims — its decisions are legally binding
FSPO data shows that over 30% of insurance complaint cases result in the Ombudsman finding partly or fully in the complainant's favour. Rejection is not always final.