Versloot Dredging BV & Anor v HDI Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG & Ors (Rev 1)

Versloot Dredging BV & Anor v HDI Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG & Ors (Rev 1)

The Owners’ claim is forfeit due to the deployment of a fraudulent device in the presentation of the claim, specifically a reckless untruth regarding the sounding and investigation of the bilge alarm, which was directly related to the claim and intended to promote it. This meets the materiality threshold established in Agapitos v Agnew and Stemson v AMP General Insurance (NZ) Ltd, and thus the otherwise valid claim cannot succeed.

Parties
Claimant: Versloot Dredging BV; Claimant: SO DC Merwestone BV; Defendant: HDI Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG; Defendant: XL Specialty Insurance Company; Defendant: Oman Insurance Co. (P. S. C.); Defendant: Navigators Insurance Company; Defendant: Reaal Schadeverzekeringen N. V.; Defendant: International General Insurance; Defendant: Mapfre Global Risks Compañia International De Seguros y Reaseguros S. A.
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 June 2013
Procedural Posture
Marine Insurance Claim / Final Judgment
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Marine Insurance, Fraudulent Claims, Perils of the Sea, Due Diligence, Unseaworthiness, Quantum of Indemnity
Insurance Law Maritime Law Marine Insurance Fraudulent Claims Perils of the Sea Due Diligence Unseaworthiness Quantum of Indemnity

Case Brief

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Parties

Versloot Dredging BV

Claimant

SO DC Merwestone BV

Claimant

HDI Gerling Industrie Versicherung AG

Defendant

XL Specialty Insurance Company

Defendant

Oman Insurance Co. (P. S. C.)

Defendant

Navigators Insurance Company

Defendant

Reaal Schadeverzekeringen N. V.

Defendant

International General Insurance

Defendant

Mapfre Global Risks Compañia International De Seguros y Reaseguros S. A.

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Marine Insurance Claim / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Was the loss caused by perils of the seas under the policy?
  2. 2 Did crew negligence result from want of due diligence by the assured?
  3. 3 Was the loss proximately caused by contractors' negligence?

Ratio Decidendi

The Owners’ claim is forfeit due to the deployment of a fraudulent device in the presentation of the claim, specifically a reckless untruth regarding the sounding and investigation of the bilge alarm, which was directly related to the claim and intended to promote it. This meets the materiality threshold established in Agapitos v Agnew and Stemson v AMP General Insurance (NZ) Ltd, and thus the otherwise valid claim cannot succeed.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed