Our team have extensive experience in advising London and international market clients on the diverse Fine Art and Specie policies and risks they underwrite. From bullion and cash in transit, to precious metal, historic buildings, as well as jewellers block, art and other collectables.

Our experience relates to the whole insurance cycle, from policy wordings, underwriting reviews, initial claims advice, coverage disputes (including litigation and arbitration) and recoveries, as well as coverholder audits and disputes.

Our areas of specialism include:

Policy coverage: including as to questions of insurable interest, the application of conditions and warranties, other liability matters, fraud, title, as well as quantum (including specified/agreed value claims).
Recoveries: including in foreign jurisdictions, where high value items have been lost or stolen.
Policy wordings: both with drafting new and/or bespoke wordings in fast-changing markets, as well as reviewing policies for compliance with the Insurance Act 2015.
Coverholder reviews and disputes, including claims audits.

Examples of our wide-ranging experience include:

Conducting a series of audits and inspections of Lloyd's coverholders for Jewellers' Block in France on behalf of a Lloyd's syndicate.
Advising in a dispute regarding the sale of a fake Maurice Utrillo.
Advising on coverage where a military relic was insured during its recovery and then appropriated by the local government.
Advising on subrogated recoveries of precious metals in India.
Advising on coverage in the defrauding of a UK diamond retailer.
Conducting a review of jewellery and watch claims with reference to binding authority agreements to ascertain whether French coverholders had acted ultra vires.
Representing insurers and cargo interests in a multitude of liability disputes regarding the carriage of goods by sea and road, including advising on:
- Container demurrage claims
- Damage
- Misdescription
- Misrepresentation
- Bills of lading
- Charterparty disputes
- Advising on cover.