Insurance

Coverage advice and claims defence for insurers, brokers and policyholders.

Insurance matters require a clear understanding of policy wording, regulatory obligations and the commercial realities surrounding a claim. We advise insurers, reinsurers, brokers, policyholders and corporate clients on contentious and non-contentious insurance matters in the UAE and across the wider region.

Our work includes policy interpretation, coverage advice, complex claims handling, subrogation, recoveries, reinsurance issues and disputes arising from property, construction, professional indemnity, marine, health and other commercial risks. Each matter is approached with close attention to the policy terms, underlying facts and potential financial exposure.

Where disputes arise, we assess the available remedies, applicable jurisdiction and most effective route to resolution. This may involve negotiation, regulatory engagement, arbitration or court proceedings, depending on the policy, parties and nature of the claim.

What we do

• Coverage analysis and declinature — Assessment of coverage, reservation of rights, and the drafting of declinature letters that will withstand challenge. A poorly reasoned declinature creates more exposure than the claim it was meant to resist.
• Liability claims defence — Defence of motor, marine, property, construction, product and professional indemnity claims, including management of experts, quantum and settlement strategy.
• Policyholder claims — Acting for insureds whose claims have been refused, reduced or simply left unanswered, including complaints to the Central Bank and proceedings before the courts.
• Health and medical insurance — Coverage, pre-authorisation and reimbursement disputes between providers, insurers and members, including network and tariff issues.
• Motor and personal injury — Third-party liability, compensation for injury and death including diya, and recoveries between insurers.
• Marine and cargo insurance — Hull and cargo coverage, general average contributions, and subrogated recoveries against carriers and terminal operators.
• Subrogation and recovery — Pursuing recoveries against third parties once a claim has been paid, including against contractors, carriers, manufacturers and other insurers.
• Policy wording and reinsurance — Drafting and review of wordings, endorsements, schedules and reinsurance treaties, with an eye on how a UAE court will read them rather than how the London market would.
• Regulatory and broker issues — Central Bank compliance for insurers and intermediaries, and claims against brokers for failures in placement, disclosure or advice.

Who we act for

Insurers and reinsurers, brokers and loss adjusters, corporate policyholders, healthcare providers, and individual claimants.

Common questions

My claim has been declined. Can I challenge it?

Usually. The first step is to obtain the reasons in writing and test them against the wording. A good number of declinatures do not survive that exercise.

How long do I have to notify a claim?

Whatever the policy specifies, and it is often far shorter than people assume. Notify first and investigate afterwards.

What is the Central Bank complaint route?

A regulatory complaints mechanism for disputes with insurers that can resolve matters without litigation. It has limits, but where it fits it is faster and cheaper.

Does my policy cover legal costs?

Sometimes, under a legal expenses extension or as part of a liability policy’s defence costs. Worth checking before you instruct anyone, including us.