Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Insurance

Led by Dimitri de Bournonville, Kennedys has ‘developed an increased visibility in the insurance sector’ and handles an array of contentious and advisory work in the area.
Liedekerke is known for its expertise pertaining to ESG issues and the financial regulatory side of insurance mandates. Damien Conem and Tom Van Dyck share leadership duties.

Insurance in Belgium

Lydian

The ‘outstanding, results-driven’ practice at Lydian runs the insurance gamut with the team’s far-reaching expertise covering issues including claims and disputes, insurance product distribution, corporate insurance and ESG work. The unit has also increasingly acting as lead counsel in cases involving international losses. Hugo Keulers co-chairs the practice and is praised for his ‘energy, in-depth insurance knowledge, international network and entrepreneurship’. Fellow practice co-chair Sandra Lodewijckx is an expert in insurance distribution and is praised for her ability to ‘stay on top of new developments‘, while Jo Willems is well positioned to handle strategically important disputes for national and international insurance clients. Marijn De Ruysscher is geared to assist with technical CAR-insurance and liability insurance mandates.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hugo Keulers; Sandra Lodewijckx


Autres avocats clés:

Jo Willems; Marijn De Ruysscher; Héloïse Fostier; Louise Berrier; Luc Germonpré


Les références

‘Their insurance specialty is outstanding, and the results-driven approach of Hugo Keulers and his team is really much appreciated. He knows the métier.’

‘This practice is the reference in Belgium for insurance, for all stakeholders (insurers, brokers or clients) and for any matter (liability or other branches, social contribution, captive, etc.).’

‘Sandra Lodewijckx is an impressive partner in Lydian’s insurance department. She stays on top of new developments and always seems to be one step ahead of the rest.’

Principaux clients

AIG Europe Ltd


Lloyd’s Insurance Company NV


Probitas 1492 Pty Ltd


Arc Europe SA


Bpost Bank NV


Furness Professional Risks Europe SRL


International Professional Risks Europe SRL


AXA SA


Canopius


Corona Direct NV


United Kingdom Freight Demurrage and Defence Assocation (UKFD) Ltd


London Steam-Ship Owners’ Mutual Insurance Association Limited (LSSO) Ltd


International Transport Intermediaries Club Limited (ITIC) Ltd


Great Lakes Insurance SE, (Munich Re Group)


TT Club Mutual Insurance Limited Ltd


Hilton Food Group BV


HDI Global SE


HDI Global Specialty SE


Arval Belgium NV


BNP Paribas Cardif NV


Monument Insurance Belgium Ltd


XL Catlin / XL Catlin Insurance Company SE / XL Catlin Services SE, now: Financial Insurance Company td. c/o AXA NV


Amlin Insurance SE


Zurich Insurance Plc


Can Insurance Company Ltd


Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance (Global) Ltd


Aon Belgium BVBA /|Aon Consulting Belgium NV


Ergo Insurance NV


Ethias SA


Belfius Insurance NV


Belfius Bank NV


Baloise Belgium NV


AEGON NV


Qover NV


Allianz Global Corporate Specialty SE


P&V Verzekeringen CVBA


SEB Life International Assurance Company


ARAG SE – Branch Belgium


DAS Belgische Rechtsbijstandsverzekering NV


Hiscox Europe Underwriting Limited


STIB-MIVB


Liberty Mutual Group


Beluga Insurance Solutions NV


Alta Signa Group BV


Immoweb Financial Services SA


DKV NV


Euler Hermes NV


Nationale Nederlanden NV


Alpha/Enstar Insurance plc


Mitsui Ltd


Beazley Furlonge Ltd


KBC Verzekeringen NV


AG Insurance NV


Gallagher


Airbnb Inc


Booking.com Inc


Berkshire Hathaway Specialty


Starr Insurance Company Inc


Toyota NV


Trip vzw


Assuralia


Alecto Consulting BV


CannGen Insurance Europe BV


DELA Natura-en levensverzekeringen N.V.


Euroclear NV


Homeserve France SAS


KU Leuven


Next Wave insurance LLC


OCM -CDZ


Zurich Insurance Plc, Belgium Branch


Zurich Insurance Company Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Zurich Insurance Group (through Zurich Global Ventures) with its strategic partnership with Qover, the Belgium-based insurtech company.
  • Acting for Allianz Global Corporate Specialty (AGCS) and AXA XL, co-insurers of the primary layer of the D&O insurance program, in a coverage dispute with their policyholder Dexia SA.
  • Upon instruction of insurers HDI Global SE and HDI Global Specialty SE, acting for Vandamme Hungaria in issues relating to the Belgian chocolate industry salmonella contamination of July 2022.

A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman fields a strong offering with expertise in regulatory issues, including solvency and governance work, and strength in contentious mandates and a proven track in insurance M&A. Experienced litigator Tom Schoors co-heads the practice; his varied caseload includes acting for insurance companies in post-M&A cases. Sylvia Kierszenbaum completes the leadership team and is well placed to advise international and domestic insurance companies on the regulation of insurance activities. Christian Bayart advises on the insurance aspects of employee benefits, while Niels De Waele counts prudential regulations and conduct of business rules among his areas of expertise.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tom Schoors; Sylvia Kierszenbaum


Autres avocats clés:

Christian Bayart; Niels De Waele; Bart De Bock


Les références

‘Niels De Waele: always very helpful and approachable.’

Principaux clients

AG Insurance


Ageas


Athora


Belfius Insurance


European Investment Bank


ING


NN (Nationale Nederlanden)


Randstad Belgium


SEB Life International


Swiss Life


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted life insurance group Athora with the acquisition of a life insurance portfolio from NN Insurance – a deal involving €3.3bn of assets under management.
  • Acted for the arrangers in connection with the issuance of bonds by the Belgian insurance company Ethias.
  • Advised numerous insurance and reinsurance undertakings on how to comply with solvency and minimum capital requirements, as strict European rules governing the insurance industry.

ALTIUS

ALTIUS‘ multi-disciplinary practice assists insurance companies, reinsurers and insurance intermediaries across a broad section of matters with advice on regulatory issues concerning M&A, the structuring of insurance distribution channels and employment mandates among the team’s key areas of focus. Contentious work including insurance coverage disputes is an additional strength. Alexander Hansebout and Jérôme Vermeylen jointly chair the practice with the former a key contact for international disputes. Fellow litigator Stijn Van Schel has a proven track record in handling liability and coverage disputes. Cross-border transactions specialist Audrey Zegers is a further key contact.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alexander Hansebout; Jérôme Vermeylen


Autres avocats clés:

Stijn Van Schel; Audrey Zegers


Les références

‘Alexander Hansebout is knowledgeable, intelligent and hands on. Pleasant to work with.’

Principaux clients

Aetna Insurance


AG Insurance


Car Garantie


Mapfre


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted as a permanent representative in Belgium of UK insurer Aetna Insurance, allowing the company to continue its legacy insurance contracts without obtaining a licence from the National Bank of Belgium, post Brexit.
  • Advising German car insurance company Car-Garantie on its information obligations under the Insurance Distribution Directive in Belgium, reviewing and amending its client information documents to align with Belgian standards.
  • Assisting Mapfre Asistencia with the restructuring of its Belgian activities, primarily employment issues and the termination of post-restructuring disputes.

CMS

Warranty and indemnity, construction professional and environmental liability insurance are all key focuses of the insurance team at CMS. In Antwerp, experienced litigator Virginie Frémat co-heads the practice and frequently acts for insurers and corporates in domestic and international litigation. The leadership team is completed by the Brussels-based trio of Carl Leermakers, Benoît Vandervelde and Tom De Cordier; Vandervelde is well versed in financial services and life insurance law. Back in Antwerp, Julie De Pauw‘s far-reaching practice encompasses policy reviews, dispute resolution and liability issues, while Tom Reingraber is a known name for insurance litigation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Virginie Frémat; Carl Leermakers; Benoît Vandervelde; Tom De Cordier


Autres avocats clés:

Julie De Pauw; Tom Reingraber


Les références

‘We instructed CMS Belgium several times over the last few years. Our cases involved different types of claims with complicated technical and legal issues. In all of these cases, the CMS lawyers did a very qualified job and handled the cases comprehensibly and to our complete satisfaction.’

‘The lawyers of CMS are always eager to support us.’

‘The saying about a team being more than the sum of its parts certainly applies here. One would be hard pushed to have a better experience and service with a legal team.’

Principaux clients

Equipe Verzekeringen


Starr Europe Insurance


StarStone Insurance


AIG Cyberedge


Cigna Insurance company


Ardonagh


Aviva


Hokodo


Chubb


AXA XL


Tokio Marine


Howden Broking Group


Howden M&A


Markel


Lloyds Insurance Company (Brussels)


CNA Insurance Company (Europe)


Ryan Specialty Group Sweden


Navigators Underwriting Agency


The Hartford


Bolttech


Samsung Electronics


Qover


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Howden Broking Group on its expansion in Belgium, which involves multiple acquisitions of insurance brokers.
  • Assisting Transact Risk Partners with numerous cross-border claims from policyholders under different warranty and indemnity insurance policies.
  • Advising Samsung on the offering of device-related insurance products (PC, laptop, mobile phones), including partnership with a third-party insurance broker, on regulatory available exemptions, contractual terms and structural operations.

DLA Piper

Praised for its ‘expert knowledge of complex cases‘, DLA Piper is active across Belgian and European regulatory matters in the fields of consumer protection and prudential supervision, life and non-life insurance product documentation and the drafting of distribution and cooperation agreements. The team is additionally highlighted for its expertise pertaining to large insurance M&A transactions. In Antwerp, practice head Pierre Berger brings an array of regulatory expertise to the table, while in Brussels, Bob Martens‘ contentious expertise is sought out by insurance clients, particularly for professional liability disputes. Alexander Hamels has an in-depth understanding of coverage disputes and supervisory investigations.

Responsables de la pratique:

Pierre Berger


Autres avocats clés:

Bob Martens; Alexander Hamels; Lieven Annaert


Les références

‘Expert knowledge in complex cases.’

‘Very easy to collaborate. Pragmatic advice. Industry insights. Very good relationship with relevant local regulators.’

‘Easily accessible. Very responsive. Clear focused advice producing added value. Proactive thinking.’

Principaux clients

Assuralia


Baloise Belgium NV


Argenta Assuranties NV


Athora Belgium NV


Axa Belgium NV


Axa Partners


AXA XL Insurance Company


KBC Insurance


Patronale Life


Starstone Insurance Services Ltd


Alan SA


Swiss Life Luxembourg SA


Lombard International Assurance SA


Volvo Personvagnar AB


Europaeiske Rejseforsikring A/S


Fortegra Europe Insurance Company SE


VALE Insurance Partners Europe B.V.


Allianz Global Corporate & Speciality SE


Allianz Global Life DAC


Zurich Insurance Company ltd


Zurich Insurance plc


Zurich Global Ventures NV


Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance


Berkley Select


ERGO Insurance


FM Global


Society of Lloyd’s


Mercer (Belgium) SA (Marsh)


Mutuelle d’Assurances des Instituteurs de France


Airbus


Michelin


Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd


Standard de Liège SA


MS Amlin Insurance SE


Wealins SA


Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting a maior Belgian insurance company with the acquisition of an insurer and its affiliated companies, and the subsequent merger by absorption.
  • Assisting Fortegra with obtaining a Belgian insurance licence.
  • Assisting a global insurance group with setting up, licensing and launching an MGA in the field of embedded insurance.

Simont Braun

Simont Braun has a strong market reputation for its proficiency in insurtech, strong academic roots and cross-practice approach to insurance. Co-head of the team Thomas Derval has a practice that straddles contentious and regulatory insurance expertise. Fellow co-heads Philippe De Prez and Joan Carette frequently leverage their strong fintech knowledge to advise insurance clients on matters such as the digitalisation of product offerings and the granting of financial licences. Rafaël Jafferali is a key contact for cross-border insurance disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Thomas Derval; Philippe De Prez; Joan Carette


Autres avocats clés:

Rafaël Jafferali


Les références

‘A very competent, professional team with diverse skills.’

‘I work with Thomas Derval who is very attentive and productive. He has a good understanding of issues linked to private banking activity. He is also a very nice person.’

Principaux clients

Cofidis


NewB


Aion Bank


Easyvest


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Aion Bank, Belgium’s first next generation digital bank, with the launch of all its new products and services including advising the bank on its insurance distribution model.
  • Assisted with NewB’s establishment of the first Belgian bank project with an innovative sustainable and ethical model, which includes an offer in specific insurance products.

Stibbe

The far-reaching practice at Stibbe incorporates expertise in insurance litigation and arbitration, employee benefits and corporate and M&A work. Other areas of strength for the unit include advising of the financial regulatory aspects of the insurance sector, tax mandates, and insurance issues arising from major infrastructure projects and public contracts. Oliver Stevens heads up the ‘very knowledgeable’ team; his longstanding experience in the space includes dealing with financial lines insurance, property insurance and litigation concerning the mis-selling of life insurance schemes. Corporate and capital markets expert Jan Peeters frequently advises on transactional work in the sector, and Marc Fyon has amassed considerable experience in corporate finance work. Complementary pensions expert Jan Proesmans and accredited mediator Sophie Bourgois are further recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Oliver Stevens


Autres avocats clés:

Jan Peeters; Marc Fyon; Jan Proesmans; Sophie Bourgois; William Poelmans


Les références

‘The team is very knowledgeable in insurance regulatory matters and always very responsive.’

‘Jan Peeters and his team are very competent and always able to explain complex matters in an easy to understand way. William Poelmans is always very helpful too.’

‘We would especially like to emphasise our collaboration with Oliver Stevens. Our case concerns an atypical and complex file, where financial insight and empathy with our business context was an absolute condition to be able to represent our case to the fullest. Oliver has absolutely succeeded in explaining this clearly in our file and arguing strongly in our favour. Furthermore, his search for relevant case law regarding our case has ensured that a rock-solid file was built up.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Infrabel with respect to a claim under its property insurance regarding damages to the rail infrastructure caused by the flooding of July 2021.
  • Assisting Private Insurer in a critical dispute that arose shortly after its acquisition by its new shareholder, P&V Insurances.
  • Assisting Goed with transferring its employee-related insurance policies in the framework of multiple restructurings.

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL‘s ‘highly regarded’ practice is well placed to handle a broad range of regulatory matters, strategic transactions, corporate reorganisations and litigation in front of civil and administrative courts of law. Olivier Van Den Broeke and Michael Van Acker co-head the practice, with the latter frequently leveraging his transactional expertise to assist players in the insurance space.

Responsables de la pratique:

Olivier Van Den Broeke; Michael Van Acker


Les références

‘Highly regarded, high level of service and competence.’

Principaux clients

AG Insurance NV


Amazon Insurance


American Express


Assuralia


Baloise Belgium NV


Cardif Lux Vie


Cigna Life Insurance Europe NV


Conservatrix N.V.


Credendo


Dekabank


FCA Capital


Febelfin


Fidelity


Generali Luxembourg


Goudse Levensverzekeringen N.V.


Imperium Insurance


Insurem Insurance Limited


KBC Verzekeringen


Lombard International Assurance


Novus Underwriting


Quilter International Ireland


The Navigators, Inc.


Waard Leven N.V.


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Ingram Micro in front of Belgium’s constitutional court; the case relates to the constitutionality of certain prescription periods in relation to life insurance products.
  • Representing Assuralia in front of Belgium’s constitutional court; the case relates to the constitutionality of an interpretative law with retroactive effect in respect of insurance coverage for natural catastrophes.
  • Advised Manufacturers Life Insurance, a Canadian life insurance undertaking, on various insurance regulatory issues in connection with the cross-border offering of life insurance policies in Belgium.

Philippe & Partners

Philippe & Partners‘ insurance team, which is noted for its ‘professionalism and collaboration‘, handles a range of advisory and contentious work in the insurance sector, with the group singled out for its competence in insurance products and distribution services, as well as its ability to assist with insurance-related regulatory, corporate and tax issues. Life insurance specialist Marc Gouden, who divides his time between Brussels and Luxembourg, heads up the practice alongside Pierre Moreau, whose diverse practice extends to group insurance and the development of life and non-life policies; Moreau divides his time between Brussels, Luxembourg and Mons.

Responsables de la pratique:

Marc Gouden; Pierre Moreau


Autres avocats clés:

Isabelle Cirriez; Ihsan Karatas


Les références

‘ The team stands out for its professionalism and collaboration.’

‘A professional approach.’

‘Outstanding service. Quick and pragmatic. They know their and our business.’

Racine

Racine is known for assisting Belgian and foreign insurers with issues ranging from professional liability mandates to hospitalisation insurance and coverage issues. The multilingual team is qualified to appear before all Belgian courts. Kathlien Vergels co-heads the team alongside Lieven Van Besien , and liability and insurance law specialist Karen Ronsijn is another name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kathlien Vergels; Lieven Van Besien


Autres avocats clés:

Karen Ronsijn


Principaux clients

AG Insurance


Aon


MS Amlin Insurance SE


Avus / SGS Belgium


Axa Belgium


Dekra


DKV Belgium (member of Ergo-group)


Ethias


HDI Global SE


KBC


Legal Village


NN Insurance Belgium


Sedgwick


Van Ameyde Belgium


Argenta Assuranties


HDI Global Specialty SE