Insurance coverage disputes and policy interpretation
Browne Jacobson acts for insurers (live/run-off and primary/excess layers) and reinsurers in coverage disputes across all classes of business. We’re the first port of call for many insurers on complex coverage disputes in the UK and internationally, where we act as monitoring counsel.
We’re known for robustly protecting insurers interests in order to obtain excellent outcomes and significantly improve loss ratios. We handle challenging disputes in such a way that our clients’ key commercial relationships are maintained. What sets us apart is the number of fee earners who specialise mainly in coverage disputes rather than the defence of claims. Here, we champion fairness, make the complex simple and forge connections between clients to find creative solutions.
We’re particularly active in acting on coverage disputes in the following areas: professional indemnity, D&O, FI, political risk, general and product liability, EPL, health, specie, CAR, property, K&R, cyber and fine art.
Many of our disputes are arbitrated and we have extensive experience of ad hoc arbitrations and those under all the main bodies including the LCIA and ICC and whether Bermuda Form or otherwise.
Featured experience
A run-off insurer
Defending Third Party (Right Against Insurers) Act 2010 proceedings following the repudiation of £30m of claims against a professional firm.
An insurer
Acting for insurers in a £100m arbitration following the rejection of attempted notifications of circumstances.
An insurer
Advising insurers on coverage issues arising from an overseas construction risks binder and acting on the subsequent recovery action against the coverholder.
Reinsurers
Advising London reinsurers on coverage issues arising from the riots in Chile in late 2019.
Related expertise
Key contacts
Ed Anderson
Partner
Jonathan Newbold
Partner
Francis Mackie
Partner
Colin Peck
Partner
Rachael Murphy
Principal Associate
Testimonials
"The lawyers provide professional and timely advice on all queries with excellent understanding of insurance."
"A firm that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the magic circle in insurance and prof neg matters. Expertise on the law runs through all levels, and the collaborative nature of the partnership and teams means that particularly on the larger cases, one gets excellent service across the board, with a sound strategy."
You may be interested in...
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, June 2025
Legal Update
Dual insurance: Are your wordings up to scratch?
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, May 2025
Legal Update
PFAS exclusions: Are your exclusions robust enough?
Legal Update
How accurate are your IPIDs?
Legal Update
Makin v QBE: A first look at the impact of Scotland Gas v QBE in England and Wales
Legal Update
Lonham Group Ltd v Scotbeef Ltd: Distinguishing representations and warranties
Legal Update
Will the decision in Sky & Mace v Riverstone Managing Agency & Ors impact insurance policy wordings?
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, February 2025
Legal Update
Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd v Hollard Insurance: The consequences of “poor” drafting
Legal Update
Coca-Cola recall: A reminder for insurers on product recall coverage
Legal Update
The LA fires: Counting the insurance cost
Legal Update
High Court ruling emphasises the importance of fair presentation
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, January 2025
Legal Update
North Carolina Supreme Court COVID-19 decision in North State Deli v Cincinnati Insurance Co
Legal Update
Walking the fine line: The statutory duty of candour and insurance
Legal Update
AI is creating fraudulent claims
Legal Update
Shoplifting epidemic by organised criminal gangs: The impact for insurers
Legal Update
Death and disgrace policies: What can insurers learn about the allegations against Gregg Wallace?
Legal Update
Insurance complaints surge continues
Legal Update
The ‘grate’ cheese robbery: Implications for insurance professionals
Legal Update
Environmental crime and the impact for insurers
Legal Update
Weather protection parametric insurance: A sign of things to come?
Legal Update
Updates to the UK’s Arbitration Bill
Legal Update
Ozempic: The rising costs and coverage issues of weight loss medication
Legal Update
Contractor insolvency: Peabody Trust v NHBC
Legal Update
By a narrow 2 to 1 majority, the Court of Appeal finds in favour of insurers in the construction of an exclusion clause in a W&I policy
Legal Update
PFAS: The issue that won’t go away
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, August 2024
Legal Update
Words matter: Another case on the importance of accurate drafting
Legal Update
It’s not cricket: Insurers change their mind about jurisdiction
Legal Update
Multi-occupancy building insurance: Latest tribunal decision
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, June 2024
Legal Update
Final FCA anti-greenwashing rule guidance published
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, May 2024
Legal Update
The Baltimore bridge collapse: One of the biggest losses in maritime insurance history?
Legal Update
The space data revolution
Legal Update
Chubb ordered to indemnify SXSW for Covid cancellation
Legal Update - The Word
The Word, March 2024
