Pharos Loss Management

13/07/2026

When a home insurance claim is rejected, many policyholders assume the insurer’s decision is final.

However, claim denials often involve more than a simple “yes” or “no.” Disputes can arise around policy interpretation, causation, maintenance obligations, evidence quality, or how damage has been assessed.

With claim denials and complaints continuing to rise, understanding why claims are rejected has become increasingly important for homeowners and property owners alike.

In our latest blog, we explore:
• The most common reasons home insurance claims are rejected
• How wear and tear, maintenance, and causation disputes can impact outcomes
• Why evidence quality plays a critical role in claim assessments
• Common misunderstandings around policy coverage and disclosure obligations
• Practical steps that can help strengthen your position

A claim rejection should not automatically be viewed as the end of the process.

Read the full article here: https://www.pharos.claims/post/5-common-reasons-home-insurance-claims-get-rejected-and-how-to-avoid-them

08/07/2026

When insurance claims become complex and stressful, clear guidance and consistent communication are essential.

Here’s what one of our clients shared about working with Declan and the Pharos Loss Management team:
“Declan was professional, approachable, and kept us informed every step of the way. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Pharos Loss Management to anyone needing help with an insurance claim.”

At Pharos Loss Management, we remain focused on delivering clarity, efficiency, and outcomes that help our clients navigate challenging claims with confidence.

Have a complex claim or need support navigating the process? Speak with the team at Pharos Loss Management to discuss your situation and how we can help.

https://www.pharos.claims/contact-us

23/06/2026

Are you in the underinsurance trap?

In 2026, one of the most significant risks facing property owners is not a lack of insurance cover, but the widening gap between insured values and the true cost of rebuilding.

This gap is being driven by sustained construction inflation, labour shortages, and ongoing volatility across the building supply chain. As a result, many policies set several years ago may no longer reflect current rebuild realities.

Underinsurance occurs when the sum insured is less than the actual cost required to rebuild or replace a property at the time of loss. While the concept is simple, the practical impact is often only realised at claim stage.

For property owners, it’s important to understand:
• How construction cost inflation is reshaping rebuild values in 2026
• Why underinsurance develops gradually across multiple renewals
• How underinsurance clauses can reduce claim settlements
• The financial impact of a shortfall during a major loss event
• When and why a sum-insured review should be undertaken

Understanding this risk has become an essential part of effective property and claims planning in the current market.

To learn more about how 2026 construction costs are impacting insured values, read our latest blog: https://www.pharos.claims/post/the-underinsurance-trap-why-2026-construction-costs-require-an-immediate-sum-insured-review

15/06/2026

Winter has arrived, bringing increased exposure to water damage, fire risk, and property maintenance issues. ❄️

Three areas worth checking this season are:
• Heating systems
• Flexi-hoses under sinks
• Chimneys and fireplaces

These aren't just maintenance considerations. In many insurance claims, the condition of these areas can become relevant when assessing causation, preventative maintenance, and policy response.

At Pharos Loss Management, we help clients navigate complex property claims where technical evidence and policy interpretation play a critical role in the outcome.

Swipe through for three practical checks that can help reduce risk and strengthen your position this winter.

09/06/2026

Meet our Director, Declan Robinson.

Before founding Pharos Loss Management in November 2023, Declan spent more than 13 years working within the insurance industry, primarily in loss adjusting and insurer-side claims.

Throughout his career, he worked across insurance, construction and legal environments, developing expertise in policy interpretation, technical assessment, evidence review and complex claims management.

Over time, he recognised a gap in the market.

What started as helping people prepare and navigate claims outside of his day-to-day role quickly revealed that many policyholders were facing significant property damage, business disruption and complex insurance processes without the guidance and support needed to understand their entitlements or manage the claim effectively.

Recognising the need for a more client-focused approach, Declan established Pharos Loss Management to provide independent guidance, strategic claims advocacy and practical support throughout the claims journey, helping clients navigate complex matters with greater clarity and confidence.

“After more than a decade on the insurer side, I realised helping people navigate complex and stressful claims was far more meaningful. Everyday Australians deserve better support throughout the process.” – Declan Robinson

More than two years on, that mission remains unchanged: helping everyday Australians achieve fair outcomes when they need support most.

01/06/2026

Lismore, Four Years On 🌧️

The 2022 Northern Rivers floods became one of the most significant insurance events in Australian history, testing insurers, assessors, contractors, and policyholders under immense pressure.

While most claims are now closed, the event continues to influence how flood and catastrophe claims are assessed today.

In this blog, we explore:
• What the $6.4 billion insurance response revealed about system pressure
• Why causation and scope became critical issues in Lismore
• How catastrophe events continue to shape claims handling practices
• Why early guidance and evidence remain essential in complex flood claims

Read the full article here: https://www.pharos.claims/post/lismore-four-years-on-what-the-2022-floods-teach-us-about-insurance-recovery-and-preparedness

25/05/2026

Autumn storm season is underway, bringing small maintenance issues that can quickly turn into major insurance headaches.

Blocked gutters, roof defects, and hidden moisture may seem minor, but they can significantly influence how a storm claim is assessed later, particularly where questions of wear and tear or pre-existing damage arise.

In our latest blog, we explore:
• Key autumn maintenance issues that commonly impact storm claims
• How insurers assess pre-loss condition and maintenance history
• Why early documentation strengthens claim outcomes
• Practical steps to reduce disputes and protect entitlements

Read the full blog here: https://www.pharos.claims/post/5-critical-autumn-checks-every-homeowner-needs-to-protect-their-storm-claim

19/05/2026

When insurance disputes drag on, expert intervention can change the outcome.

Here’s what one of our clients shared about working with us:
“After six months of getting nowhere, Pharos took over the claim and negotiated a settlement in line with policy expectations.”

At Pharos Loss Management, we’re proud to achieve outcomes that protect our clients and turn challenging situations into successful resolutions.

11/05/2026

When an insurer says “no” to a claim, it is often not the final word, but the start of a more complex dispute process.

In our latest blog, a real AFCA determination involving a burst pipe claim saw the insurer’s initial position significantly undervalue the damage, before independent evidence and expert guidance helped challenge the assessment through the dispute process.

We explore:
• How insurer assessments can initially underestimate water damage claims
• How causation and scope of loss disputes impact AFCA outcomes
• The role of independent expert evidence in strengthening claims
• How AFCA evaluates competing technical reports

Read the full article here: https://www.pharos.claims/post/insurance-claims-dispute-and-afca-what-happens-when-an-insurer-says-no

Denied an insurance claim? Learn how AFCA disputes work, why expert support matters, and how policyholders can secure a fair pay out, even after an initial “no.”

04/05/2026

Jargon Term of the Month: Consequential Loss

Consequential loss is one of the most misunderstood parts of an insurance claim.

While physical damage is often clear, the financial impact that follows isn’t always automatically covered.
In many cases, it depends on how your policy separates material damage from business interruption or consequential loss, and the specific wording around it. That’s where gaps can emerge if it’s not clearly understood early.

Swipe to see how consequential loss can impact your claim outcome.