One Size Does Not Fit All: Rethinking Business Interruption Cover for Commodity-Driven Industries

Volatile commodity markets are reshaping the way insurers assess business interruption risk, particularly in sectors such as energy, renewables, and mining. The standard Industrial Special Risk (ISR) Mark IV formula for calculating loss of gross profit is showing its limitations in this environment, often producing results that do not reflect the commercial realities of commodity-driven […]

Evolution of Power and Energy Insurance Claims Handling in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how insurers assess and manage risk, particularly as Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT become more widely used. While AI offers promising efficiencies, its application in complex claims environments remains limited. Andrew Bott, Executive Loss Adjuster at Chubb Insurance and finalist in Wotton Kearney’s Turning Point 2024/25 Competition, explores this emerging […]

A Balancing Act: The Risks of Reducing Insurance for Australia’s Fossil Fuel Sector Amid ESG Pressures

Australia has set an ambitious target of achieving 82% renewable energy by 2030. However, with this goal unlikely to be met, reliance on fossil fuels is expected to remain significant for longer than initially planned. At the same time, insurers are reducing their underwriting exposure to coal and fossil fuel projects while expanding capacity for […]

A new chapter of leadership for our Property, Energy and Infrastructure team

Wotton Kearney is pleased to share some important news about the leadership of our Property, Energy and Infrastructure team, effective 1 July 2025.  After eight years of leading the team, Adam Chylek will be stepping into a new strategic role within the firm. Under Adam’s guidance, the team has grown significantly, expanded into emerging markets, […]

2024/25 WK Turning Point Competition: Winner Announced

Congratulations to Derek Martin, Head of APA Claims at Munich Re on winning the WK Turning Point Competition for 2024/25! The 2024/25 competition challenged the insurance industry’s most creative and progressive thinkers to develop a white paper through the lens of an insurance ‘turning point’ market issue in the Property, Energy & Infrastructure sector. Derek impressed the […]

Future Proof ‘25: Insurance and risk insights across Asia-Pacific

The future of insurance and risk in Asia-Pacific is here, and rapidly evolving. Are you ready? In a world marked by rapid technological advancement, innovation, evolving regulatory demands and increasing complexity across multiple risk sectors, Future Proof ’25 examines the diverse forces reshaping insurance and business landscapes. This report highlights emerging trends and critical challenges […]

New Zealand Insurance Market Trends Update 2025: The key developments shaping the industry in Aotearoa

In a rapidly changing landscape, staying informed is essential to navigating the complexities of New Zealand’s insurance market. That’s why we’ve released our New Zealand Insurance Market Trends Update 2025 – a comprehensive analysis of the key developments shaping the industry in Aotearoa. Packed with valuable insights, the report delves into emerging legal trends, evolving […]

Wotton Kearney expands its property, construction, and employment practices in Christchurch with new appointments

Wotton Kearney is pleased to announce the appointments of Sam Hider, senior associate, and Ramses Hunt, associate, both based in our Christchurch | Ōtautahi office. This exciting development will help to strengthen our property, construction, and employment practices and to better service the growing needs of our clients in the South Island.  Sam Hider, Senior […]

Finalists announced in Wotton Kearney’s Turning Point competition

Wotton Kearney is delighted to announce the five finalists of the 2024/25 W+K Turning Point competition. The 2024/25 competition, which was launched in July, threw out a challenge to the insurance industry’s most creative and progressive thinkers to outline their idea for a white paper that explores and leads the next generation of ideas in […]

Get to know Shane Swinerd, new partner and property, material damage and business interruption specialist

Tell us about your journey to becoming a partner at W+K I came over from DLA Piper New Zealand in Feb 2022 alongside Peter Leman, Caroline Laband, Misha Heneghan and the team. It was so exciting and refreshing coming to W+K together and feeling so welcome by everyone here (and reuniting with so many old colleagues […]