Life & protection insurance

Our lawyers

We are at the forefront of the issues and trends that impact this sector and our lawyers are regular contributors to a number of industry forums. Helen Tilley also has over 20 years’ experience of acting as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the Insurance Fraud Investigators Group (IFIG), as part of the firm’s drive to prevent and detect fraud.

Our experience

Examples of work which we have handled include:

• Advised reinsurer regarding €7 million life assurance claim after the apparent sudden cardiac death of a businessman who died in suspicious circumstances during an overseas business meeting.
• Regularly advise life insurers on coverage and the validity of trust arrangements when the husband is suspected of murdering his insured wife. 
• Successfully represented insurer in High Court life insurance claim involving an alleged Bollywood actor, with cover to protect a film project, who was believed to be a fictitious character created by the Claimant for the purposes of fraud.
• Advised several insurers in relation to Freezing Orders on the life policy proceeds over £1 million in the context of embezzlement proceedings against the life assured’s Estate. The life assured had disappeared in his light aircraft, having a pattern of building up business debts across several continents.
• Represented insurer in respect of a Critical Illness (Permanent Total Disablement) claim for £750,000 regarding a dentist who stated that he developed fibromyalgia after a stationery rear shunt RTA at 5 mph.
• Experienced in advising on Group and Individual Income Protection claims in relation to a wide range of occupations and psychological/physical illnesses and injuries, with particular expertise in relation to dentists, solicitors, pilots and banking industry workers.
• Represented a Private Medical Insurer regarding a bespoke Scheme for UK based staff/families of a Middle Eastern area Embassy when a medical consultant was taken off their list of approved service providers. Resolved highly sensitive dispute involving concerns about fraudulent over-charging for services, and counter allegations of discrimination, defamation and associated loss of income.
• Advised Bermudian Reinsurer on permitted activities from the UK branch relating to new business proposals involving pandemic issues.
• Drafted Individual Life and Critical Illness policy wording and Flexible Trust Deed for US bancassurer starting UK business under passported authorisation rights. Sourced and coordinated advice from Scottish lawyers and tax specialist.
• Advised on and drafted a Terms of Business Agreement (TOBA) between a new life insurer and intermediaries doing direct business through its website portal.