--- title: "Insurance Law" id: "2029" type: "expertise" slug: "insurance-law" published_at: "2026-01-26T08:32:32+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-28T09:51:03+00:00" url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/insurance-law/" markdown_url: "https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/expertise/insurance-law.md" excerpt: "Comprehensive insurance and risk management advisory Insurance is a cornerstone of corporate risk management, covering areas such as civil liability, property damage, business interruption, cybersecurity, and directors’ and officers’ liability. The relevance of coverage, the clarity of policy terms, and..." taxonomy_language: - "English" taxonomy_post_translations: - "pll_697726a0802b1" taxonomy_tax_expertise: - "Insurance Law" taxonomy_tax_famille_expertise: - "Advisory" --- ## Comprehensive insurance *and risk management advisory* Insurance is a cornerstone of corporate risk management, covering areas such as civil liability, property damage, business interruption, cybersecurity, and directors’ and officers’ liability. The relevance of coverage, the clarity of policy terms, and the ability to activate insurance in the event of a loss are key determinants of an organization’s resilience. We advise all stakeholders in the insurance market. Working alongside brokers, we assist policyholders in analyzing their risks and renewing their policies. We support insurers and brokers in drafting policy wording and special conditions. In the event of a claim, we assist policyholders in their discussions with insurers and help insurers manage notifications and assess coverage. We represent clients at every stage of a dispute, including court-appointed expert proceedings and litigation on the merits, and defend their interests in both amicable and contentious phases, before professional bodies such as France Assureurs and ARIAS France or in arbitration. As members of AMRAE, we are at the forefront of emerging risk analysis and market developments. ## *our*Capabilities ### (01) Policyholder Advisory We assist companies in identifying their risk exposures and structuring their insurance programs. Our work includes assessing coverage needs, participating in tender processes, negotiating underwriting terms alongside brokers, and validating contractual clauses for a wide range of policies, including general liability, professional liability, product liability, environmental liability, property damage, local policies, master programs, and captives. We also advise on risk retention and transfer strategies. In the event of a loss, we support policyholders in their discussions with insurers to secure optimal coverage under their policies. ### (02) Insurer and Broker Advisory We advise insurers and brokers in drafting and reviewing insurance policies, including general and special conditions. Our work covers risk assessment, defining coverage and exclusions, drafting clauses tailored to sector-specific requirements, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The objective is to guarantee clarity of commitments, strengthen the legal security of policies, and maintain the right balance between protecting policyholders and managing insurers’ risk exposure. ### (03) Claims Management And Insurance Litigation When a loss occurs, we assist policyholders in assessing the nature of the claim, managing notifications, and triggering applicable coverage. For insurers, we review policy terms, evaluate coverage in light of exclusions and limits, and manage reservations of rights. In the event of a dispute, we represent our clients at every stage of the process, from court-appointed expert proceedings to litigation on the merits, before courts or specialized professional bodies such as France Assureurs and ARIAS France. Collective excellence at the service of the *highest standards.* Team [Charles Hugo ( Senior Associate )](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/collaborateur/charles-hugo/) Précédent Suivant ## Contact Us ## *our*References Insurance Law #### Cement Manufacturer – Liability Insurance Claim Management Advice and representation of a cement manufacturer in connection with a neighborhood nuisance claim subject to court-ordered expertise. The firm assists the client in managing the claim with its general liability insurer, coordinates the defense strategy with the insurer, and ensures preservation of coverage during the expertise aimed at determining… Insurance Law #### Energy Group – Insurance Coverage and Subrogation Recovery (PFAS) Advice and assistance to an international energy group whose subsidiaries must bear significant costs related to the elimination of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foams and equipment decontamination. The firm analyzes available coverage under liability and property damage policies, identifies subrogation recovery options against insurers of manufacturers and suppliers of PFAS-containing products, and… Insurance Law #### British Manufacturer – Environmental Liability Insurance Policies Assistance to a British industrial group in connection with the closure and remediation of a former industrial site located in Northern France. The firm advises the client on the activation of environmental liability insurance policies taken out by successive operators, analysis of available coverage, and negotiations with insurers regarding coverage… *Rankings* & Recognitions m - (01)Legal 500 2025 – Global Assurances - (02)Décideurs 2025 – France Industrial Risks & Liability Litigation - (03)Décideurs 2025 – France Industrial Risks & Liability Litigation [More distinctions](https://www.august-debouzy.com/en/distinctions/?search_tax-expertise%5B%5D=insurance-law) ## *FAQ* ### (01) How does a law firm specializing in insurance law optimize your risk coverage? The relevance of insurance coverage determines an organization’s resilience in the face of risk: civil liability, property damage, business interruption, cybersecurity, directors’ and officers’ liability. Article L. 113-2 of the French Insurance Code requires the insured to report any claim within a minimum period of five working days (two days in cases of theft). We assist companies in identifying their exposures, structuring their insurance programs (general liability, professional liability, product liability, D&O, property damage, local policies, master programs, captives), negotiating terms alongside brokers and validating contractual clauses. In the event of a claim, we support the insured in engaging with their insurer to secure optimal coverage. ### (02) What legal support can insurers and brokers expect in insurance law? Drafting and reviewing insurance contracts determines the legal security of policies and the balance between policyholder protection and risk management for insurers. We advise insurers and brokers on risk analysis, qualification of coverage and exclusions, drafting of clauses tailored to sector-specific requirements, and regulatory compliance validation. Article L. 112-4 of the French Insurance Code requires that the insured receive a copy of the policy and general conditions; failing this, the exclusions and forfeiture provisions in the contract cannot be enforced against them. Each policy is designed to ensure clarity of commitments and prevent interpretation disputes. ### (03) How can you resolve a dispute between insured and insurer while respecting limitation periods? When a claim gives rise to a disagreement over coverage, the qualification of guarantees or the assessment of losses, compliance with limitation periods determines whether the action is admissible. Article L. 114-1 of the French Insurance Code sets a two-year limitation period for all actions arising from an insurance contract, running from the event giving rise to the claim. We represent clients at every stage of the dispute: court-appointed expert proceedings, proceedings on the merits, professional bodies (France Assureurs, ARIAS France) or arbitration. We defend both policyholders in mobilizing their coverage and insurers in analysing exclusions and caps. ### (04) Why choose August Debouzy as your law firm for insurance law in France? We advise all market participants: policyholders on risk analysis and contract renewals, insurers and brokers on policy drafting and special conditions, and all parties in contentious situations. As a member of AMRAE, we are at the heart of discussions on emerging risks and market developments. Our expertise covers civil liability, property damage, business interruption, cybersecurity and directors’ and officers’ liability, and we represent clients before the courts, professional bodies and in arbitration proceedings.