Indemnity focus:  the meaning of ‘control’

Indemnity focus:  the meaning of ‘control’

Penfold v The Hollard Insurance Co Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 1322

Insurers and brokers are often presented with a difficult fact-specific question to resolve – is property within the physical and legal control of an insured? An insured’s legal responsibility will often turn on this, and so too may its coverage position. In this article we look at a recent Australian decision which held that property owners may have “control” of goods on their property even if they have not charged for storage and have not exercised any power over the goods.

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Court dismisses claim by “consumer” for damage caused by fire to yacht

Court dismisses claim by “consumer” for damage caused by fire to yacht

Tregidga v Pasma Holdings Pty Limited [2021] FCA 721

The Federal Court of Australia has recently considered and dismissed a claim against contractors carrying out electrical repairs on a yacht for fire damage. The legal basis for the decision and the reasoning employed by the court is of relevance to both material damage and liability insurers alike.

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