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Insurance Law — Strasbourg

Coverage that holds when it counts.

Insurance law defines the rights and obligations of the policyholder towards their insurer: scope of cover, exclusion clauses, claim notification deadlines, recourse in the event of a refusal to indemnify. It is a technical area of law, often favourable to the insured, provided you know how to use it.

An insurance policy only shows its true worth at the moment of a claim. The firm supports companies and directors in securing their cover, defending their interests against insurers, and ensuring that a denial of compensation does not permanently damage their business.

Know your limits before you need to use them.

Businesses often assume they are covered — until a claim exposes the real limits of their policy. An exclusion clause, a disputed loss assessment, a rejected claim, or a challenged expert report can quickly put pressure on cash flow, stall decisions, and threaten business continuity. The firm supports clients in securing their cover, identifying exposure before a dispute arises, and defending their interests against insurers — whether through agreed expert proceedings, court-appointed assessments, or insurance litigation. The goal is always the same: contain the financial and operational damage before it compounds.

Interventions

Insurance contracts and cover

  • Analysis and interpretation of insurance policies
  • Exclusion clauses and coverage limitations
  • Loss assessment and quantification
  • Securing cover and maximising compensation

Property and personal insurance

  • Property and asset insurance
  • Personal insurance
  • Protection of business and personal assets
  • Claims handling and compensation

Liability and risk coverage

  • Public and employer liability insurance
  • Professional indemnity and operational risks
  • Risk management and claims notification
  • Defence of the policyholder's interests

Expert proceedings and litigation

  • Agreed and court-appointed expert assessments
  • Challenging claim and coverage denials
  • Negotiation with insurers
  • Insurance law litigation

Examples of insurance-law work

Denied cover, compensation, expert assessment: after a loss, the true scope of cover turns on the policy's details. The following examples illustrate how it is defended.

Contested denial of cover
Situation
After a loss, the insurer denies cover by relying on a policy clause. The company disputes that reading.
Approach
Analysis of the policy clauses and cover conditions, check on the basis for the denial, challenge and negotiation with the insurer.
What's at stake
Clarifying the true scope of cover and enforcing the insured's rights.
Loss assessment and compensation
Situation
A loss caused significant damage. The insurer's proposed assessment seems insufficient against the actual damage.
Approach
Analysis of the losses, support during the expert assessment, challenge to the valuation, and negotiation of the compensation.
What's at stake
Having the true extent of the loss recognized and defending a coherent level of compensation.
Support during a complex expert assessment
Situation
A technical assessment is ordered after a loss. Its conclusions will drive the compensation; the insured does not want to face it alone.
Approach
Preparation for the assessment, presentation of arguments and evidence, monitoring of operations, and analysis of the report.
What's at stake
Ensuring the insured's interests are represented at every stage.

The situations described are illustrative, anonymized examples based on commonly encountered issues. They do not describe any identifiable matter and constitute neither a guarantee nor a prediction of outcome. Every case is assessed on its own circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if the insurer refuses cover?
A denial of cover is never automatic. The first step is to check the stated reason against the exact policy clauses and applicable rules: exclusion, forfeiture, breach of a disclosure obligation. Many refusals rest on an extensive or questionable reading of a clause — yet an exclusion clause is only valid if it is express and specific (article L. 113-1 of the Insurance Code). The right response is a written, reasoned challenge based on the policy terms and claim documents, before considering the ombudsman or litigation.
What is the time limit to challenge a denial of cover or claim compensation?
Two years, as a rule. Almost all claims arising from an insurance contract are subject to a two-year limitation period running from the event giving rise to the right to compensation (article L. 114-1 of the Insurance Code) — far shorter than the standard five-year period under general law. Note: a simple email or letter exchange does not suspend this period. Only a registered letter, the appointment of an expert, or a court summons interrupts it. Many policyholders lose their rights because the insurer lets time run — prompt action is essential.
Can the insurer rely on an exclusion clause to deny cover?
Not under all circumstances. An exclusion clause is only valid if it is express and specific (article L. 113-1 of the Insurance Code): it must identify precisely what is excluded, leaving no room for interpretation. A vague ground such as the policyholder's "negligence" is in practice contestable. Moreover, if the policy does not reproduce the grounds for interrupting the limitation period, the insurer cannot later invoke the two-year time bar. A denial based on a questionable clause nearly always warrants review before being accepted.
Should I have support during an expert assessment?
The assessment strongly shapes compensation: it is the assessment that values the retained loss, and it is driven by the insurer. The expert it appoints is paid by it. In the event of a disagreement, the policyholder may request a counter-assessment and appoint their own expert, whose fees remain their responsibility unless the policy includes an "expert fees" cover. If the disagreement persists, a third expert is appointed and their findings are binding on the parties, with costs shared unless a specific clause provides otherwise. Having support allows you to present your case, follow the proceedings and secure a framework that will weigh heavily on the outcome.
How do I challenge insufficient compensation?
By testing the insurer's valuation against the reality of the damage, with supporting documents: estimates, invoices, photographs, technical reports. The effective route starts with a documented counter-assessment that sets out a reasoned valuation against the insurer's. If the disagreement continues, a third-party assessment decides, then mediation or litigation if needed. Any challenge remains subject to the two-year time limit. It is the strength of the file, not the apparent balance of power, that determines the final amount.
What recourse do I have in a dispute with my insurer?
Recourse is graduated. You start with a written complaint to the company's customer service, then, if unsuccessful, you can refer the matter free of charge to the Médiateur de l'assurance, an independent body. In parallel, a counter-assessment allows the valuation gap to be examined. If no amicable resolution is reached, legal action remains open, always subject to the two-year time limit. Each step must be documented, as the strength of the file directly influences the outcome.
Should I sign the settlement receipt or protocol proposed by the insurer?
Not without reading it carefully. A settlement receipt or transaction protocol frequently contains a clause by which the policyholder waives all further recourse. If damage appears later, it can no longer be claimed. Before signing, it is prudent to verify that the proposed compensation covers the full loss, including its future effects. A prior review, with professional assistance if needed, prevents unknowingly waiving rights.
Does the firm offer video consultations for insurance matters?
Yes. For a denial of cover, an insurance dispute or an expert assessment, the firm offers a first 30-minute video consultation, free of charge and without commitment. Available from anywhere in France, with no need to travel to Strasbourg.
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