Insurance

Bernard LLP provides a diverse range of insurance legal services to policyholders, brokers and insurance companies on Canada’s west coast, in both a commercial and litigation context.

Our commercial lawyers have extensive experience advising and representing brokers and insurance companies on regulatory and policy drafting issues, as well as transactions involving acquisitions, reorganizations and employment matters.  Bernard LLP’ regulatory work includes resolving licensing and compliance issues with federal and provincial regulators, financial reporting, regulatory filings, drafting and securing approval for policy wordings.  We have a particularly strong skill-set with insurance regulatory and transactional matters on behalf of clients in and around the maritime sector.

Our litigation lawyers have a well-earned reputation for successfully resolving insurance coverage and liability disputes on behalf of policyholders, brokers and insurance companies alike.  Bernard LLP’ coverage work includes enforcement, as well as maintaining denials of first part property and third party liability coverage, under CGL, builders risk, life and disability, excess auto and homeowners insurance policies.  We have a solid track record of resolving contractual and tort liability claims, whether by direct settlement negotiations, ADR process or litigation, depending on the circumstances and appropriate strategy.

Our lawyers have extensive experience litigating coverage and liability disputes at trial and on appeal, in the British Columbia and Federal court systems, including the Supreme Court of Canada.  Bernard LLP’ lawyers make use of and provide the full range of ADR processes and services, from mediation, through third party neutral evaluation, to arbitration.  Our lawyers are particularly skilled in respect of the following:

  • coverage – maritime; construction; life and disability; environmental; duty to defend; and primary, excess and overlapping insurance; and
  • liability – maritime on behalf of all major P&I Clubs; products liability; subrogation; medical malpractice; and auto; real estate owners and developers, foreign and domestic shipowners and charterers, and major domestic and international underwriters.

Bernard LLP is also a leader in the provision of continuing legal education to members of the insurance and maritime industries and legal profession, locally, nationally and internationally, though the Canadian Journal of Insurance Law (as General Editor), Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. (seminars and articles in B.C. Broker magazine), chairing and presenting seminars for Canadian Defence Lawyers, Insurance Institutes of B.C., Northern and Southern Alberta, Canadian Maritime Law Association, the Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association, Canadian Institute, Defence Research Institute (U.S., including articles in For The Defence magazine), Canadian Bar Association and Continuing Legal Education Society of B.C., and U.B.C. Law School.

Practice Group Members