Harbour Underwriting

Harbour Underwriting Limited is one of the leading providers of commercial dispute insurance for both claimants and defendants. We provide dispute insurance cover against the costs incurred in bringing or defending court or arbitration proceedings in commercial disputes.

We work with law firms, insurance brokers and advisors to help their clients mitigate the risk of litigation and arbitration.

Harbour Underwriting Limited is a Managing General Agent (MGA) authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 939803). Our products are underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s (Canopius – Lloyd’s Syndicate 4444) and other A-rated insurers.In 2024, we extended our underwriting capacity with additional insurers within Lloyd’s and also outside of Lloyd’s.

Our insureds

•The parties to the dispute – whether these are individuals, SMEs, listed companies or class actions

•Stakeholders in the dispute – whether these are litigation funders or law firms seeking an insurance solution in respect of their risk exposure.

Our approach

Our underwriting team, which includes three practising solicitors, has over 50 years’ experience insuring a wide variety of disputes. The team is led by our underwriting director and managing director, Rocco Pirozzolo, who has been a leading figure in the sector for more than 25 years.

We are renowned for our expertise, knowledge and experience, which enables us to make quick and clear decisions and consider complex cases other underwriters may decline.

We have an appetite for risk and will consider every proposal put to us. We provide prompt responses and work closely with clients, their lawyers, brokers and litigation funders to meet their needs and enable cases to be brought.

Our products include:

·Adverse cost cover

·Disbursements cover

·Solicitor’s fees cover

·Anti-avoidance endorsements and deeds of indemnity to provide security for costs

·Appeals insurance

·Damages-based agreement (DBA) and conditional fee agreement (CFA) insurance

·Cross-undertaking in damages insurance.

These core products can be applied for at any stage of court and arbitration proceedings and in conjunction with all financing options, including self-funded, third-party funding, DBAs and CFAs.

The amount of cover can be tailored to each case. We can write limits up to £20m.

We cover all types of commercial disputes and arbitration claims, including:

• • Breach of contract and commercial disputes
  • Competition claims
  • Group litigation and class actions
  • Construction and engineering disputes
  • Corporate disputes
  • Fraud and white-collar crime
  • Insolvency claims
  • Employment disputes
  • Professional negligence
  • Shareholder disputes

We insure disputes in the UK and also cases brought in other jurisdictions, including the Channel Islands, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE.