Insurance Law

An insurer’s reputation for fairness and competence may be its most valuable asset. Harper Grey lawyers have protected the reputations of insurers and their insured since the firm was founded in 1907.

Our insurance lawyers work with clients to resolve claims with the best interests of their insureds and organizations in mind.

We serve regional, national and multinational insurers. We represent major self-insured businesses, working with their insurance partners to resolve claims. We also work with professional associations to develop and defend errors and omissions and risk-management programs.

Did you know that Harper Grey publishes the Canadian Insurance Law Blog?  Stay current with new case law and emerging issues – read more here.

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Insurance Law Services

  • Bodily injuries.
  • Commercial general liability.
  • Commercial lines products - construction deficiencies, property loss, business interruption, products liability.
  • Complex, multi-party claims.
  • Criminal acts.
  • Directors and officers liability.
  • Environmental contamination.

  • Errors and omissions.
  • Occupiers liability.
  • Personal lines products - property loss, motor vehicle liability, social host liability, defamation.
  • Professional liability.
  • Reinsurance.
  • Subrogated matters such as geographic torts.
  • Transportation related claims including aviation and marine cargo and equipment damage.

Practice Group Partners

Steven Abramson* Partner
Aaron D. Atkinson Partner
Michael Hewitt* Partner
Jonathan D. Meadows* Managing Partner
Joel A. Morris* Partner
David Pilley Partner
John P. Sullivan* Partner
W. Sean Taylor Partner
Nigel Trevethan* Partner
Jennifer Woznesensky Partner
Kim J. Yee Partner
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Harper Grey recognized as "Most Frequently Recommended" in the area of Litigation - Commercial Insurance by Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory®, 2023 - 2024
Harper Grey shortlisted for Insurance Law firm of the Year, 2019 - 2024
Harper Grey recognized as Insurance Law firm of the Year, 2020 - 2021

Select Cases

Issue of the vicarious liability

Addressing the issue of the vicarious liability of an insurer for the intentional and wrongful acts of its agents.

Defending an insurer

Defending an insurer in an action against them by an insured who was alleged to have made misrepresentations in the application for insurance and renewal of that insurance. The insured had been sued in California for $250 million and sued the insurer who had denied defence and indemnity to the insured as a result of the misrepresentations.

Occupiers liability claims

Handling the majority of occupiers liability claims from one of the largest grocery store chains in the province.

Professional liability claims

Managing all professional liability claims for a provincial organization of home inspectors. We developed the errors and omissions program for this organization. It is now used throughout Canada.

Helicopter crash

Extracting a client from lengthy and expensive litigation relating to the failure of a key component in a helicopter that crashed.

Subrogated claim

Organizing a subrogated claim resulting from a power surge that prompted 200 property damage claims from a residential neighbourhood.

Appearing in the BC Supreme Court

Appearing in the BC Supreme Court in Swagger Construction v. ING Insurance Canada, the leading case regarding construction deficiency claims.

Deductibility of collateral benefits

Appearing twice before the Supreme Court of Canada to address the deductibility of collateral benefits paid to tort victims.

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The Latest

Natasha Cooke elected to Insurance Law section of Canadian Bar Association
Natasha Cooke elected to Insurance Law section of Canadian Bar Association Natasha Cooke elected to Insurance Law section of Canadian Bar Association
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Harper Grey Hosts 2024 Spring Insurance Law Seminar
Harper Grey welcomes four new associates
Harper Grey welcomes four new associates
Abigail Turner recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada® 2024 in two areas of expertise
Abigail Turner recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada® 2024 in two areas of expertise Abigail Turner recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada® 2024 in two areas of expertise
Retail Case Update: A Follow Up on the Impact of Failure to Immediately Disclose Settlement Agreements
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David Pilley recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada ® 2024 in two areas of expertise
David Pilley recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada ® 2024 in two areas of expertise David Pilley recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada ® 2024 in two areas of expertise
Give an inch, but they can’t take a mile: where an insurer is bound to coverage through the implied or ostensible authority of a broker, coverage will be limited to the scope of the representation made to the insured
Give an inch, but they can’t take a mile: where an insurer is bound to coverage through the implied or ostensible authority of a broker, coverage will be limited to the scope of the representation made to the insured Give an inch, but they can’t take a mile: where an insurer is bound to coverage through the implied or ostensible authority of a broker, coverage will be limited to the scope of the representation made to the insured Give an inch, but they can’t take a mile: where an insurer is bound to coverage through the implied or ostensible authority of a broker, coverage will be limited to the scope of the representation made to the insured
Nigel Trevethan recognized as Insurance Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Litigation® Canada for third consecutive year
Nigel Trevethan recognized as Insurance Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Litigation® Canada for third consecutive year Nigel Trevethan recognized as Insurance Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Litigation® Canada for third consecutive year
Michael Hewitt recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada® 2024 in two areas of expertise
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Jonathan Meadows recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada ® 2024 in three areas of expertise
Jonathan Meadows recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada ® 2024 in three areas of expertise Jonathan Meadows recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Canada ® 2024 in three areas of expertise
Six Harper Grey lawyers selected by Benchmark Canada® 2024 as Litigation Stars in the area of Insurance Law
Six Harper Grey lawyers selected by Benchmark Canada® 2024 as Litigation Stars in the area of Insurance Law
Expiry of limitation period makes demand for appraisal of no force and effect
Expiry of limitation period makes demand for appraisal of no force and effect Expiry of limitation period makes demand for appraisal of no force and effect Expiry of limitation period makes demand for appraisal of no force and effect
Retail Case Update: Slip and Fall in the Mall – Dismissal for Inexcusable Delay
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Nigel Trevethan shortlisted as Canadian Insurance Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Nigel Trevethan shortlisted as Canadian Insurance Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024 Nigel Trevethan shortlisted as Canadian Insurance Litigator of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Consecutive inconsistent determinations of an insured’s entitlement to statutory accident benefits can be made without constituting an abuse of process
Consecutive inconsistent determinations of an insured’s entitlement to statutory accident benefits can be made without constituting an abuse of process Consecutive inconsistent determinations of an insured’s entitlement to statutory accident benefits can be made without constituting an abuse of process Consecutive inconsistent determinations of an insured’s entitlement to statutory accident benefits can be made without constituting an abuse of process
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