Expertise

Insurance

Overview
Astute advice and action that protects the financial health and reputation of leading insurers

Hesketh Henry fields one of New Zealand’s largest and most experienced insurance defence and litigation teams. We’ve been advising and acting for insurers for more than 100 years and our insurance lawyers work for a variety of local and offshore insurance companies.

Feedback from clients who have experienced other insurance law firms tells us that our point of difference is our ability to provide commercially-sensible solutions that are timely and effective. We aim to deliver optimal results in an efficient, and cost-conscious manner every time.

This pragmatic approach to legal advice does more than simply reduce claim costs and legal expenses; ultimately it assists with clients’ brand and reputation building, while also fostering strong relationships with brokers and insureds.

Another factor that gives us an edge in the insurance law arena is the accessibility of our senior partners. They don’t work in an ivory tower; they are actively engaged with the day-to-day business of providing exceptional insurance law services.

Reflecting the depth of our insurance team’s knowledge, Hesketh Henry was invited to author the LexisNexis Practical Guidance on Insurance Law in 2016, a first-of-its-kind online publication designed to assist companies in the insurance industry.

Need advice on Insurance?
Contact the expert team at Hesketh Henry.
Examples

Examples of work completed by our team include:

  • Advising NZ insureds and underwriters on cyber-breaches, including statutory obligations (eg privacy), contractual obligations to customers, and rights and remedies against counter-parties / third parties, in high pressure / time sensitive circumstances. This involves liaising with key stakeholders, such as senior management, crisis response teams, media advisors, and external IT / cyber-security experts;
  • Advising on various issues including, most frequently, as to whether the subject matter of a given claim (i.e. the particular nature of goods or services provided by and insured) falls within the scope of cover; and
  • Advising an energy company on the adequacy of its D&O cover for the divestment of certain assets
Key Contacts
Media
Publications
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Insights & Opinion / Insurance

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When Sweet Turns Sour: The Costly Consequences of Contamination
The New Zealand Sugar Company (NZSC), trading as Chelsea Sugar, recently found itself in hot water after being fined nearly $149,500 by the District Court due to a prosecution brought by the Ministry ...
19.02.2025 Posted in Insurance & Trade and Transport
Court of Appeal rules Gloriavale’s challenges to BNZ decision to close its account are not seriously arguable
Background BNZ made the decision to close the accounts of 16 entities associated with the Gloriavale Christian Community following a decision by senior management that this action was appropriate give...
07.02.2025 Posted in Disputes & Insurance
Construction Framework Wide BW
Construction insurance cover: Sky UK Ltd v Riverstone Managing Agency Ltd
Parties to a building contract usually take out insurance to protect the contract works from damage from unintended events such as vandalism or a flood.  The policy is intended to cover the cost of r...
23.01.2025 Posted in Construction & Insurance
James Hardie New Zealand Ltd v Zurich Australian Insurance Ltd: Rebuffing a stay of proceedings
In James Hardie New Zealand Ltd v Zurich Australian Insurance Ltd [2024] NZHC 3126, the High Court refused to grant a stay of proceedings under ss 22 and 25 of the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 (A...
12.12.2024 Posted in Construction & Insurance
Contracts of Insurance Act – what’s in store for you?
For our previous articles concerning the Bill, please click here and here. The Contracts of Insurance Act passed into law on 15 November 2024.  Although the Act will come into force over a period of ...
20.11.2024 Posted in Insurance
Close call on contribution: Beca decision confirms 10-year longstop does not bar contribution claims
In a 3-2 split decision, the Supreme Court in Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner Ltd v Wellington City Council [2024] NZSC 117 confirmed that contribution claims are not barred by the Building Act 2004...
11.10.2024 Posted in Construction & Disputes & Insurance
Wielding the Secateurs: The High Court’s Pruning of Potentially Disruptive Decisions
Every now and then courts have to self-correct to prevent errant off-shoots of legal reasoning advancing into the law.  In the decision, IAG New Zealand Ltd v Degen [2024] NZHC 397, the High Court t...
19.09.2024 Posted in Insurance
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