Following the December 2022 departure of former name partner Felipe Hoetz, the former Acuña, Hoetz & Cifuentes is now known as Acuña & Compañía Abogados. ‘Considered among the best firms for insurance and arbitration matters‘, the boutique practice has an enviable market-reputation for sizeable insured losses in Chile during adjustment and settlement stages, as well as during judicial proceedings, arbitrations and subrogation actions. Representative high-level work includes acting for the insurers (ACE/Chubb) in judicial proceedings against La Polar, its directors and officers, in relation to a D&O insurance policy’s validity. ‘Possibly the most renowned lawyer within Chile’s insurance world‘, senior partner Alejandro Acuña is an insurance, reinsurance, arbitration and litigation expert, whose track record includes successfully representing domestic insurers in substantial recovery actions. Fellow-founding partner and ‘first-class lawyer‘ Luis Cifuentes has longstanding experience in civil, commercial and white-collar litigation. Key associate Whitney Silva is also on hand to assist with major insurance-related claims.

Full-service legal giant Carey fields a nine-strong team that acts for insurers, reinsurers, brokers and insureds on regulatory issues, underwriting and contentious work. With ‘extensive experience in the insurance market’, it consistently advises major international businesses on the structuring of significant bancassurance alliances in the local market, as well as portfolio transfers. On the litigation front, the multi-disciplinary practice is able to leverage the firm’s specialists in construction, energy, investments, data protection, finance and labour during high-stakes losses, loss adjustment processes, disputes, litigation, and arbitration. The practice’s principal figures are Matías Vergara, who acts in major insurance disputes, as well as assisting domestic and international insurance companies on their day-to-day matters; Pablo Iacobelli, an expert in insurance companies’ regulatory corporate issues and insurance-related M&A deals; and Marcos Ríos, whose broad transactional practice comprises insurance and reinsurance work. Key support comes from specialist senior associate Jorge Soto whose past experience includes time at Solunion Seguros de Credito (Mapfre Seguros- Euler Hermes).

Estudio Carvallo's highly experienced insurance department is consistently sought out by both local and foreign insurance businesses to advise on coverage analysis and agreements, as well as insurance policies. The large team is also routinely involved in defence-side casualty claims, along with the development of insurance products and registration of insurance-related entities. Among the group’s several active practitioners, general manager Manuel Carvallo is a renowned insurance law expert, whose recent track-record includes the development of sizeable insurance products; Marcelo Simian heads up the firm’s casualty division; and civil and commercial litigation specialist Francisca Román is litigation and property recovery division leader. Also integral to the practice, María Elena Rivera focuses on maritime and damages law, pollution issues, and general liability, while Francisco Bauer litigates liability and insurance contract derivatives.

Initially forming an association with Grasty Quintana Majlis (GQM) in early 2020, international law firm Clyde & Co established a permanent presence in Chile in August 2022 when it merged with GQM to form Clyde & Co in Santiago. The five member group’s ‘specialists in insurance issues‘ are highly respected for litigating civil liability, recovery and coverage issues, as well as their advice on regulatory compliance matters and corporate work. The insurance and insurance dispute resolution practices are both led by disputes specialist Jorge Meneses; managing partner Franco Acchiardo heads the firm’s work on insurance industry-related corporate, M&A and financing deals; and recently-promoted legal director Alejandro Quintana V's insurance and reinsurance capabilities include defence-side contentious stages and subrogated claims. The team was significantly boosted with the January 2023 recruit of former Acuña, Hoetz & Cifuentes name partner Felipe Hoetz, an insurance market veteran and insurance, reinsurance and claims settlement specialist.

Acting for both insurers and reinsurers, DAC Beachcroft Chile acts across the Lloyd’s, London, European and US markets. The 10-strong insurance practice is particularly noted for its expertise in high-stakes claims involving arbitration, mediation and litigation. The regional head of the firm’s Latin American practice, Andrés Amunátegui's track record covers both the local and the international market, in relation to property, casualty, liability, cyber and financial institution-related claims, as well as recovery actions; Macarena Cámbara (a June 2022 recruit from Zurich Insurance Chile) leads the insurance team in Santiago; Guillermo Amunátegui is an insurance-regulatory expert; and consultant Edmundo Agramunt is a former MAPFRE Chile legal head. At associate level, Nicolas Le Blanc is experienced in advising the London market; Javier Moya leads the litigation and arbitration team; and Andrés Faraggi acts in claims-control matters concerning property, casualty and product liability losses. Former associate María Jesús Pérez recently departed to join FINSA as head of insurance.

With ‘excellent knowledge of insurance issues‘, the Santiago branch of global law firm Kennedys has wide-ranging insurance and reinsurance law expertise. The four-member team is particularly active in regulatory matters, along with claims management and the defence of insurance companies. With regard to claims, the group is notably active in relation to property, as well as business interruption policies concerning the construction, mining, financial and retail sectors. The practice also assists with policy writing, coverage reports and insurance industry-related corporate law issues. Appointed general counsel of Latam Trade Capital in January 2023, former department head Mario Diemoz moved to an of counsel position in April; nevertheless, he continues to advise London market reinsurers and domestic insurers on regulatory matters, while litigation leader Gian Carlo Lorenzini (‘excellent negotiation skills’) is on hand for insurance-related pre-litigation and litigation issues. The practice was strengthened with the return of Rodrigo Hayvard as a partner in August 2023 after four years at FID Seguros, where he came to be General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. At senior associate level, Daniel Silva is the current chair of the local chapter of the Young International Association of Insurance Law, but Pia Parmar  left the firm in June 2022.

Pumpin, Dorfman, Nasser, Diaz (PDND)'s eight-strong insurance group ‘stands out for its extensive knowledge of all insurance law areas'. The team advises domestic and foreign insurance and reinsurance companies on product design, commercialisation matters, compliance with regulations, and fair treatment and business conduct issues. Other areas of strength include corporate and competition law, litigation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings before the Financial Market Commission (CMF) and other regulatory bodies. The insurance practice houses four active name partners: the current director of the Revista Chilena de Derechos de Seguros (Chilean Journal of Insurance Law), Marcelo Nasser, ‘a lawyer with an admirable career in insurance work'; Ignacio Díaz, a specialist in commercial, transport, insurance and consumer protection law; Mauricio Dorfman, whose practice covers corporate advice, labour law, civil liability, litigation and arbitration; and land and maritime transportation practitioner Gabriel Pumpin.

Launched by partners of what was RTA Abogados in 2019, the former RRG Abogados underwent further changes in May 2023, becoming RRA Abogados (Ríos Abogados) following the departures of Stefanie Ramdohr and associate Esteban Rebagliati. With ‘high-level knowledge of the insurance sector‘, the eight-strong practice is well-versed in high-stakes litigation, arbitration and claims (life, health, property, surety, liability and business interruption), along with insurance-related corporate and regulatory advice. It also assists with the establishment of new insurance companies (both life and non-life). Heading up the firm, Roberto Ríos has over 25 years’ enviable experience in the Chilean insurance market. Fellow partner Alonso García is a labour liability insurance and medical liability claims specialist, while key associate support comes from litigator Mariela Schulze and Josu Otegui de Los Santos, whose practice encompasses insurance and reinsurance, along with associated corporate and regulatory matters.

The highly experienced multidisciplinary insurance group at Vergara, Fernández, Costa & Claro covers major disputes involving insurance companies, negotiations with insurers, and the design and structuring of alternative forms of risk cover. The key practitioners are commercial group leader Sergio Fernández, who co-leads the firm’s insurance team alongside civil liability head Gloria Claro, a former senior vice-president at Marsh McLennan Companies; and counsel Manuel García de los Ríos, whose experience includes over 25 years at German insurance group Allianz. Within the associate ranks, Catherine Campbell and Andrés Schlack both maintain active insurance practices.

With ‘in-depth and excellent knowledge of the local and international legal framework', JJR Abogados' insurance and reinsurance group has significant experience in advising the London and worldwide reinsurance markets. The four-member team’s specialisms range from political risks, earthquakes and liability, to drafting insurance terms and conditions, Chilean compulsory adjustment procedures and regulatory work. Its expertise further covers major litigation and arbitration cases. The principal figures are founding partner Ricardo Rozas, ‘a well-known lawyer internationally', who has vast experience in shipping and logistics; and maritime transportation specialist Max Morgan. Key associate Stefano Perretta predominantly acts in insurance, reinsurance and transport-related disputes.

The four-member insurance group at boutique law firm Molina Ríos Abogados, which ‘compares very favourably with other firms for construction insurance', is highly experienced in insurance sector-related negotiations and assessments, as well as substantial arbitration and litigation. The team’s expertise encompasses a range of insurance policy risks, such as international credit, all-risk, civil responsibility, guarantee and life insurance. The firm is also a key promoter of Chile’s Centre of Insurance Arbitration, ARIAS LatAm, which has specific procedures for insurance disputes, and intends to establish its presence across the region. Team head and Mapfre Chile’s current chair, Carlos Molina, is an arbitrator for the Chilean Insurance Association (AIDA-Chile), where fellow partner Felipe Correa is a member of the dispute resolution committee. In a significant development, since publication the firm has announced a strategic alliance with the UK-based Fenwick Elliott LLP - effective as of March 2024.

Launched during 2022, Peralta Sandoval Llaneza Gutiérrez’s eight-strong practice fields specialists in insurance and reinsurance-related regulations, compliance and litigation. The group, which ‘perfectly understands the nature of the insurance business‘, is experienced in advising insurers and reinsurers on complex cargo, property and adjustment of casualty matters. It is also regularly mandated for major insurance claim disputes involving losses and coverage issues. At name-partner level, Luis Sandoval is highly rated for his representation of insurers, reinsurers and brokers’ interests, and Ricardo Peralta is a renowned arbitrator of commercial matters. The associate to note, Mildred Barrientos advises on both insurance and litigation matters.

Prieto Abogados' seven-strong team has strong insurance regulatory credentials in relation to the formation of new (or the acquisition of) existing insurance companies. The group also has extensive experience in insurance product-related distribution agreements, such as bancassurance agreements, and mortgage-related, cell phone protection and extended warranty policies. It is additionally active in claims against insurance companies, as well as negotiating tailor-made insurance policies. The department’s principal adviser is insurance regulatory specialist Patricio Prieto L, who advises on insurance distribution agreements, policy drafting, and group policy-related matters. Former associate María Cristina Ríos exited the firm in May 2022 for Coca Cola Andina.

Barros & Errázuriz's insurance team routinely assists major insurance companies with both corporate and regulatory matters. Its workload ranges from the incorporation of insurance companies, to corporate governance issues and share participations in insurance companies. The team also assists with the regulatory aspects of technical reserves, investment rules, and risk management and internal control systems. It additionally acts in contentious administrative procedures. The practice is co-headed by corporate law specialist Carlos Ducci; and Javier Díaz, a former lawyer for the Securities Prosecutor’s Office of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance. Senior associate Albert Harsch also advises on insurance work.

‘A law firm with extensive experience and knowledge in the insurance space‘, full-service firm Cariola Díez Pérez-Cotapos focuses on the construction and retail sectors, particularly in relation to fire, earthquake, robbery and civil liability insurance. The five-strong team’s recent highlights further comprise cases involving credit insurance and cybercrime. The group also advises insurance companies and insurance brokers on the development of new businesses, as well as insurance-related M&A deals. Litigation head Florencio Bernales routinely acts in high-stakes insurance disputes. At associate level, Trinidad Torres is an insurance litigator, and Daniel Washington advises on insurance policies.

Specialised in insurance law, Contreras y Cia's longstanding practice focuses on the representation of policyholders and insurance brokers. Recent matters for the ‘powerful work team' cover the preparation of legal reports for insurance disputes; out-of-court advice and judicial representation of policyholders during coverage conflicts with insurers; and assisting insurance brokers with policy analysis. Founding partner Osvaldo Contreras S currently acts as an arbitrator in international insurance trials, while José Manuel Madero and Osvaldo Contreras B co-lead the firm’s insurance litigation practice.