Court dismisses request for discovery of comparable insurance applications in non – disclosure case

  • Published 19.10.2020

Key Takeaways

In this case, the WASC has dismissed a plaintiff’s application for discovery of comparable insurance applications, which were sought by the plaintiff in order to challenge the insurer’s underwriting evidence following avoidance cover pursuant to s29(3) of the ICA.

NSWSC finds settlement not binding where no executed Deed of Release

  • Published 19.10.2020

Key Takeaways

In this case, the NSWSC dismissed an application by an insurer to enforce a settlement agreement on the basis that the parties did not intend for the settlement to be binding until a formal deed of release had been entered into.

AFCA finds trauma event arises when it occurs, not when diagnosed

  • Published 19.10.2020

Reinsurance: Court rejects request for group insurance takeover material

  • Published 19.10.2020

Key Takeaways

The NSWSC has rejected a reinsurer’s request to obtain documents related to a Trustees’ decision to change group insurers, which resulted in the reinsurer’s treaty being terminated.

NSWSC confirms insurers must consider all TPD evidence

  • Published 19.10.2020

Key Takeaways

Insurers cannot simply choose to disregard, or place unduly little weight upon, evidence which it considers to be deficient – for example, late-in-time medical reports, pro-forma certificates with little underlying rationale, or ‘on-the-papers’ medical opinions.

FCA confirms indemnity costs only ordered in cases where proceedings end by agreement if ‘losing’ party’s case was hopeless

  • Published 19.10.2020

Key Takeaways

NSWSC confirms s29(2) Avoidance – Court rejects suggestion illicit drug use is akin to drinking alcohol

  • Published 19.10.2020

Key Takeaways

If an insurer asks about drug use in an application for insurance, it is no defence to an allegation of non-disclosure or misrepresentation to argue that the non-disclosed/misrepresented drug use was recreational or within socially accepted norms, and therefore irrelevant to the insurer’s decision.

Sustainability in Disability Insurance - Actuaries’ Taskforce lays bare the challenges ahead…

  • Published 19.10.2020

A recent report from the Actuaries Institute Disability Insurance Taskforce has shone light on the long term sustainability of disability insurance, particularly individual disability income insurance (IDII) product offerings in both the retail and group space, which has for some time now, been of significant concern within the industry.

Note from the Editor - October 2020

  • Published 19.10.2020

NSW Supreme Court considers evidence required for support of land claim

  • Published 15.10.2020

Shalhoub v Johnson (NSWSC 2020)

Key Takeaways

The NSWSC recently ruled on a dispute between two neighbours arising from an alleged failure by one neighbour to support the land of the other that resulted in the leaning of a retaining wall.