subrogation

noun

sub·​ro·​ga·​tion ˌsə-brō-ˈgā-shən 

: the act of subrogating

specifically : the assumption by a third party (such as a second creditor or an insurance company) of another's legal right to collect a debt or damages

Examples of subrogation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Recovering subrogation claims is often expensive and time-consuming, prompting insurers to sell them off in return for immediate cash payments. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2025

One possible change being discussed, according to authority staff, would require a utility that ignited a wildfire to prioritize settling the claims of victims and insurers who have not sold their subrogation rights before those claims owned by hedge funds. —Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025

Brent Daub is a senior founding partner of Gilson Daub, a workers’ compensation, subrogation, longshore and general liability law firm. —Brent Daub, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Insurance companies say subrogation is a way to offset costs associated with a catastrophic event so premiums won't have to go up. —CBS News, 10 Feb. 2025

This process, known as subrogation, is standard in the insurance industry, allowing insurers to seek reimbursement from those held responsible. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025

The Kentucky business is known as an industry pioneer in subrogation outsourcing for the healthcare industry. —Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 3 Apr. 2024

Senior founding partner of Gilson Daub, a leading workers’ compensation defense, subrogation, longshore and general liability law firm. —Brent Daub, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2022

An earlier version of this article quoted law professor Mr. Reiss as saying that only parents who are guarantors on a child’s loan can sue the child for repayment under the laws of subrogation. —Robyn A. Friedman, WSJ, 29 Sep. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subrogation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Legal Definition

subrogation

noun

sub·​ro·​ga·​tion ˌsə-brō-ˈgā-shən 

1

: an equitable doctrine holding that when a third party pays a creditor or obligee the third party succeeds to the creditor's rights against the debtor or obligor

also : a doctrine holding that when an insurance company pays an insured's claim of loss due to another's tort the insurer succeeds to the insured's rights (as the right to sue for damages) against the tortfeasor

called also equitable subrogation

2

: an act or instance of subrogating

where an insurer has acquired by an assignment or by subrogation the right to recover for money

—J. M. Landers et al.

Note: Subrogation can take place either by operation of law or by contractual agreement.