Insurance: Policyholder | Asia-Pacific

Herbert Smith Freehills offers a comprehensive insurance service, including representation in high-profile disputes as well as advice on regulatory compliance and risk management. Its insurance team predominantly acts for corporate policyholders on claims across a number of industries, including the financial services, construction and resources sectors. The insurance team also provides risk advice relating to transactional insurance issues and the transfer of insurance assets. Herbert Smith Freehills abstains from pursuing a contentious insurer defence practice, so as to provide policyholders with a conflict-free service against insurers, and leverages the resources of its global network to advise on insurance issues with cross-jurisdictional aspects, both within and beyond the Asia-Pacific region.

King & Wood Mallesons maintains its high reputation for assured handling of a comprehensive range of policyholder work, especially M&A-related warranty and indemnity matters, and enjoys particularly close ties with clients from the financial services sector. The team is active on professional indemnity claims, including those made against other law firms, and class actions, and also known for its front-end practice focusing on regulatory issues. The firm is well placed, thanks to its multi-jurisdictional network of offices, to advise on insurance issues on an Asia-Pacific regional basis.

The Allens insurance team is active in both the front and back ends, assisting clients with claims as well as the establishment of insurance arrangements. Allens is well regarded for serving corporate policyholders in the resources and financial services sectors. Its team possesses a deep understanding of the regulatory and legislative issues relating to the insurance industry supported by substantial cutting-edge technological resources and extensive experience of various international markets. Areas of particular proficiency include business interruption, construction, cyber risk and industrial special risks.

Ashurst's impressive group offers extensive expertise in policyholder work, particularly D&O, warranty and indemnity matters, and is well placed to advise on the placement of insurance for acquisitions, business risk, construction and sustainment. The firm also regularly advises blue-chip insurer clients on a range of non-contentious issues including policy development and insurance M&A. The insurance team are increasingly active in the growing area of cyber insurance law, with experience advising on a range of cyber risk matters and cyber insurance reviews. Ashurst is able to draw on the firm's global reach in order to service international matters.

The Corrs Chambers Westgarth practice is frequently sought out by major corporates and institutional policyholders in the construction, infrastructure, financial services and energy sectors in relation to major claims and coverage work, including class action coverage-related advice. The insurance team is particularly active on matters relating to professional indemnity insurance, offers substantial expertise in risk allocation and insurance regimes and is well-placed to advise on surety bond facility issues. Its integrated team, operating across offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, offers nationwide expertise.

MinterEllison demonstrates a broad skill set across the whole gamut of insurance issues and on a truly nationwide basis. Its insurance team is routinely sought out by both insurer and policyholder clients to handle complex front-end work including corporate advisory, reinsurance and policy wordings. The team is equally adept in handling significant contentious claims, with particular strength in medical malpractice, product liability, regulatory compliance and asbestos claims. It has a focus on emerging risk classes such as warranty and indemnity insurance and cyber risk and receives specific praise for its ability to service insurance-related class actions.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is a specialist litigation practice, operating from offices in both Sydney and Perth and maintaining a strong global reputation and track record in respect of the handling of class actions as well as litigation involving product liability, professional indemnity and D&O issues. The firm also provides advice on insurance coverage disputes and risk solutions. The team is experienced in both cross-border and domestic insurance disputes for significant policyholder clients including major Australian and multinational corporates, regularly conducting its own court advocacy.