Insurance & corporate risk
For a law firm, we do insurance differently. The McCullough Robertson Insurance and Corporate Risk Group is unique in the Australian legal market. Our team combines extensive hands-on insurance industry experience with legal knowledge.
With experience in transactional, corporate, compliance work and dispute resolution, we advise public and private corporations, insurers, and brokers.
Our advice covers everything from customising policies to suit clients, interpretation of terms, conditions and exclusions and advice on risk management solutions and claims. Our knowledge extends across every class of insurance including Public and Product Liability, ISR, Contract Works, Property, Professional Indemnity, D&O, Workers’ Compensation, Marine and Aviation.
Significantly, we developed Australia’s first series of technology insurance policies for a large American insurer and have drafted policies for international and Australian insurers. We have also been instrumental in drafting specialist insurance policies which have been introduced into the insurance market e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Liability/Environmental/Statutory Liability.
The Insurance and Corporate Risk Group also provides the following services:
- we design programs considering policy coverage, indemnity, deficiencies and ensure legislative compliance, including FSR obligations, APRA and the Insurance Contracts Act.
- via our own product, Insurance Heath Check, we regularly review corporate insurance programs taking into account all insurable risks and highlighting existing and future requirements. We remove the pressure felt by executives by ensuring their business risks and exposures are properly covered given Directors’ and Officers’ liability policies now require confirmation that a company has appropriate insurance.
- we develop and implement ‘contracting pillars’ which are the rules of engagement our clients adopt to recognise and understand their contractual obligations and insurance coverage parameters. The process enables uninsured risks to be recognised, managed and an understanding of a client’s contractual, legal and insurance obligations and exposures to be developed.
- we conduct broker tenders on behalf of our clients through a unique selection, interview and scoring process – we act as an independent ‘referee’ critically comparing insurance brokers to meet our clients’ expectations and ensure they are fully informed and aware of the service propositions. To secure the best outcome for our clients, we charge a set fee given our services are not compromised by links to premium or cost savings.
To complement the expertise of the Insurance and Corporate Risk Group the firm has created a wholly owned insurance broking practice, Allegiant IRS, to serve the insurance broker needs of our clients and work in combination with our lawyers to provide an integrated legal/insurance broker service offering which has proven beneficial to clients. This has also lead to the development of innovative insurances for the firm’s clients, not currently offered in the Australian insurance market.
We understand that insurance is about protection for both now and the future. We are here for the long haul.
To find out more, contact Brad Russell
Experience
Marine Insurer
Acting for a marine insurer for in excess of 20 years in managing claims, including disputes with insureds, large scale property damage and personal injuries matters.
Queensland Urban Utilities
Advised on their insurance program, particularly their industrial Special Risks insurance and assisted them on multimillion dollar damage to infrastructure and recovery.
Brisbane Airport Corporation
Prepared a comprehensive Principal Arranged Insurance Program for all construction at the Brisbane Airport District.
Mackay Regional Council
Advised on the insurance structures for several significant infrastructure projects removing property and liability risks and expedited project delivery through seamless claims management.
Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
Prepared a comprehensive Principal Arranged Insurance Program for all of the Department’s projects in Queensland up to a monetary limit.
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group
Advised on the project insurances required for the expansion of their $3 billion coal loading facility and the interaction of those insurances with their Industrial Special Risks insurance program.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Provided detailed policy interpretation advice specifically in relation to insurance recovery for major flood events.
Wesfarmers Curragh Coal
Advised on the project insurances required for the construction of their overland conveyor system and coal handling preparation plant.
Client disputes
Acting for clients in disputes with WorkCover Queensland and the Workers’ Compensation Regulator in proceedings in the QIRC.