For many large U.S. companies, it is impractical or impossible to buy domestic excess liability insurance coverage that provides substantial indemnity limits. In order to buy the necessary limits, these companies must venture beyond domestic markets to offshore markets, typically Bermuda, London and continental Europe. Those markets sell high retention, high limit policies using specialized insurance forms known as Bermuda Forms or variations of them.

Bermuda Forms are exceptionally complex, with coverages and mechanisms utterly foreign to the traditional domestic liability insurance market with which most policyholders are familiar. There are many traps for the unwary. Because disputes under the policies are only heard in confidential arbitrations in London, there is little precedent available to guide policyholders. Given the catastrophic limits provided by these policies, it would be a rare and unlucky policyholder to understand these policies through experience on more than one claim. Even the largest policyholders only have a handful of claims over the entire history of the forms. Learning how these policies work only after your first catastrophic claim hits will put you at a significant disadvantage because insurance companies have considerable experience with their own forms and with the arbitration process. They also possess knowledge of "precedent" that is typically unavailable to policyholders who have no experience with the forum or the policy form's unique dispute resolution requirements.

The speakers at this conference have knowledge and experience with these forms and the types of claims that have been litigated and decided under them, gathered over the last 20 years. Your clients can learn how to structure their Bermuda Form excess liability programs to maximize the chance of recovery in the event of catastrophe, as well as how to shepherd their claims through to the point of settlement or, if need be, an arbitration award. Our conference will feature some of the leading figures in this field, both from within the firm and outside of it, including the representatives from AON and Willis, 2 of the world's 3 largest commercial insurance brokerage firms.

Who Should Attend

General Counsel, Risk Managers, Chief Financial Officers, Corporate Treasurers and other insurance professionals.