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®, 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

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
Harper Grey shortlisted as Canadian Insurance Law Firm of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Harper Grey shortlisted as Canadian Insurance Law Firm of the Year by Benchmark Canada 2024
Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards
Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards Harper Grey shortlisted for five Benchmark Canada 2024 Awards
Michael Robinson guest lectures at Langara College
Michael Robinson guest lectures at Langara College Michael Robinson guest lectures at Langara College
Widow’s claim for constructive trust on life insurance benefits paid to deceased’s mother rejected
Widow’s claim for constructive trust on life insurance benefits paid to deceased’s mother rejected Widow’s claim for constructive trust on life insurance benefits paid to deceased’s mother rejected Widow’s claim for constructive trust on life insurance benefits paid to deceased’s mother rejected
Harper Grey Insurance Law Group recognized as “Most Frequently Recommended” by 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Harper Grey Insurance Law Group recognized as “Most Frequently Recommended” by 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizes Harper Grey as a leading law firm in 6 practice areas in Vancouver
2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizes Harper Grey as a leading law firm in 6 practice areas in Vancouver
22 Harper Grey lawyers recognized as “Leading Practitioners” by Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory 2024
22 Harper Grey lawyers recognized as “Leading Practitioners” by Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory 2024
Relief from forfeiture not available for late reporting of D&O claim
Relief from forfeiture not available for late reporting of D&O claim Relief from forfeiture not available for late reporting of D&O claim Relief from forfeiture not available for late reporting of D&O claim
Insured not entitled to business interruption coverage for losses sustained during pandemic
Insured not entitled to business interruption coverage for losses sustained during pandemic Insured not entitled to business interruption coverage for losses sustained during pandemic Insured not entitled to business interruption coverage for losses sustained during pandemic
Insurer liable to insured for damages relating to release of pollutants from a pipeline
Insurer liable to insured for damages relating to release of pollutants from a pipeline Insurer liable to insured for damages relating to release of pollutants from a pipeline Insurer liable to insured for damages relating to release of pollutants from a pipeline
No duty to defend the insured for claims arising out of prior litigation
No duty to defend the insured for claims arising out of prior litigation No duty to defend the insured for claims arising out of prior litigation
No by-law coverage for undamaged portions of an elevator shaft
No by-law coverage for undamaged portions of an elevator shaft No by-law coverage for undamaged portions of an elevator shaft
Court of Appeal upholds $1.5M punitive damages award against disability insurer for bad faith as well as trial judge’s order of full indemnity costs to insured
Court of Appeal upholds $1.5M punitive damages award against disability insurer for bad faith as well as trial judge’s order of full indemnity costs to insured Court of Appeal upholds $1.5M punitive damages award against disability insurer for bad faith as well as trial judge’s order of full indemnity costs to insured
Priority coverage dispute between insurance companies – someone’s got to pay!
Priority coverage dispute between insurance companies – someone’s got to pay! Priority coverage dispute between insurance companies – someone’s got to pay!
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