We care about your reputation
A poorly handled claim against your business can have an immediate financial impact and cause significant damage to you and your law practice’s reputation.
Steadfast in Defense
Should you be the subject of a claim where you are not negligent, our commitment is to fully defend you and your law practice.
Proactive in Resolution
In the event of negligence, we will work with all parties to resolve the claim as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Our philosophy
ABC Insurance promotes a collaborative approach, working together productively with you to achieve the best possible outcome to any claim or potential claim notified by you.
We will provide feedback to assist you with avoiding future claims and to improve your risk management.
Our PI claims management approach
Professional indemnity insurance claims will be managed by solicitors for solicitors. We utilise senior, experienced solicitors with many years of experience within the solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance industry, to defend solicitors and their law practices.
We aim to:
- Provide timely, accurate and empathetic advice and services.
- Consult with you, from notification to finalisation.
- Proactively assist you in handling circumstances that may give rise to a claim.
- Try to finalise matters on an unlitigated basis wherever possible.
- Promote the use of alternate dispute resolution methods where appropriate.
- Appropriately defend claims which do not have merit, utilising third-party specialist litigation experts when appropriate.
- Provide you with comprehensive and effective support.
- Provide post-claim analysis and feedback to reduce practice risk exposure and future claims.
How do I lodge a claim or circumstance notification
As an ABC Insurance policyholder email us any time at claims@abcinsurance.net.au and provide:
- your policy number and/or law practice name
- your name and contact details
- a preferred method for us to contact you
- a description of what has happened.
What happens after I’ve lodged a claim
You’ll initially receive an email acknowledging the claim lodgement or notification of a circumstance. It will provide you
with details of your notification along with a reference number and information on how we plan to resolve your claim.
You’ll also be provided with contact details for our Claims Team so you can directly engage with them as needed.
A senior, experienced claims solicitor will be in contact with you to understand what has happened and the best way to handle the matter.
Depending on the nature of the claim we will:
- communicate with the claimant or the claimant’s solicitor
- seek to manage the claim on an unlitigated, in-house basis
- where appropriate, instruct an external panel solicitor or counsel to represent you and provide legal advice on the defence of the matter.
How soon should I advise of a possible claim
The short answer is: as soon as you can. You don’t need to have a formal written claim against you before advising us.
Early advice of any event or issue that could give rise to a claim will help everyone. We can take all possible steps to resolve any potential claim or instigate remedial action before it becomes a formal matter, with positive flow-on benefits for you and your clients.
You’ll benefit by:
- Keeping the total claim cost to a minimum, meaning lower premiums.
- Showing your clients that, even though there may have been a problem, you want to reduce potential harm by proactively seeking an early resolution.
- Enhancing your ability to maintain a good client relationship and ensure your client retains a positive view of you and your law practice.
If you are concerned that there is a possibility something has happened which could lead to a claim please notify us.
How do I find out the status of my claim
If you have previously notified us of a claim or circumstance (potential future claim)
You can also directly contact your claims solicitor or manager to assist you.
I have more questions
If you have further questions about claims or circumstances please visit our claims FAQs for more information.
We’ve got you covered … it’s as simple as ABC.