Insurance & Liability
Our specialisms
Property, Product & Engineering / Product Recall / Personal injury / Financial lines / Insurance law / Regulatory & Corporate insurance / Mediation / Directors' Liability & Boardroom Counselling / Specialist Dispute Resolution / German Desk
Supporting insurance companies and their clients with their business is a core specialism of our firm since our foundation. Our native understanding of the commercial context in which insurance companies operate, allows us to advise on complex business issues, as well as pure legal matters. Our insurance practice covers all aspects of the insurance business ranging from casualty, property, and financial lines to insurance law and regulatory.
We combine a broad experience in drafting insurance policies with an excellent track-record in assisting our clients in policy disputes, litigation and arbitration on liability claims. We advise on the development and (domestic and cross–border) distribution of insurance products, portfolio transfers and joint ventures. In addition, we assist clients with compliance on all financial regulatory aspects of doing insurance business in the Netherlands.
When expertise of other jurisdictions is required, we have access to over 150 law firms in 100 jurisdictions across the globe. We are also part of Global Access: a worldwide platform that offers the insurance sector easy access to recognised insurance and liability law specialists.
We service all major insurance companies active in the Netherlands, as well as many of the larger intermediaries, insurance brokers, insurance pools and loss adjusters. In addition, we regularly advise corporations as well as governmental bodies on insurance related matters.
Market recognition
The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Insurance - Tier 1
Reflective of Kennedy Van der Laan‘s presence in the insurance market, it generates mandates from a wide variety of clients, notably insurance companies active in the Netherlands, insurance brokers, loss adjusters, insurance brokers and corporates. The firm is highly active in insurance regulatory matters (an area that is led by Jan Broekhuizen), and it also provides assistance with policy drafting and reviews of policy wording. In addition, insurance claims are another key pillar of the practice; a name to note in this space is Peter van den Broek, whose workload includes international claims and construction-related coverage disputes. Frits van der Woude focuses on policy disputes and professional indemnity claims, and he is also an expert in in D&O liability and professional liability. Chris van Dijk and Petra Oskam are particularly well-known for their personal injury expertise. Erik van Orsouw is another experienced practitioner at the firm.
Practice head(s): Erik van Orsouw; Chris van Dijk; Frits van der Woude; Peter van den Broek; Jan Broekhuizen; Petra Oskam
Other key lawyers: Maurits Oudenaarden; Peter Kramer; Marit van der Pool; Mark Wisse
Leading Individuals
Peter van den Broek
Erik van Orsouw
Rising Stars
Marit van der Pool
Testimonials
- The team’s lawyers are accessible and provide practical and understandable advice. They also organize meetings and lectures in which insurance practice matters are discussed in an informal atmosphere.’
- ‘Kennedy van der Laan have a great team (no matter who you get to work with) who are very easy to access and they understand your needs perfectly. They think along with you by being pragmatic and proactive.’
- ‘Mark Wisse – He is quick on his feet in terms of thinking and providing solutions, replies fast and provides tips and tricks. He also sees the bigger picture and making you aware of this and possible consequences.’
Chambers Europe 2022 - Insurance - Ranked
What the team is known for
Kennedy Van der Laan is an established name in the insurance market with a notable strength in claims disputes. The law firm houses a dedicated insurance regulatory practice which acts on behalf of major national and international insurers and brokers on matters including market entry and structuring issues. The team also possesses the capacity to act on contentious mandates, and has been instructed on product liability and professional indemnity cases alongside class actions.
Strengths
Clients value the team's prudent advice, with one emphasising that "the lawyers always try to look at both sides of the coin, not just focusing on what a client wants to hear; instead they give you the truth."
Another client praises the lawyers for their interpersonal skills, noting that "their ability to manage emotions and be empathetic is useful."
Notable practitioners
Chris Van Dijk advises international and domestic insurers on a wide range of liability cases, with a particular focus on professional and product liability matters. Clients emphasise his position as "an authority on the market" and identify him as "someone who is always going for solutions."
Erik van Orsouw regularly advises on product liability cases, as well as offering regulatory advice to insurers. Market commentators commend his commercial awareness, noting that "he manoeuvres smartly and is honest in his appraisal."
Frits Van der Woude represents clients in insurance and liability matters in relation to bankruptcy proceedings, including D&O and professional indemnity. Clients consider him to be "a hands-on lawyer with deep knowledge of the insurance industry."
Peter van den Broek specialises in dealing with contentious coverage mandates, with a particular focus on business interruption and product safety disputes. One interviewee praises his "ability to brainstorm informally with clients."