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Andrew Hooker's picture

Andrew Hooker is a specialist insurance lawyer.  He has spent 20 years providing insurance legal advice and this has included:

  •  Partner in one of New Zealand’s leading insurance specialist law firms; 
  •  Chief legal counsel for one of New Zealand’s largest insurance companies; 

Prior to working as a lawyer Andrew worked in claims and sales for a major New Zealand insurance company, and also set up and ran a nationwide specialist insurance investigation company.
  
Andrew practices as a specialist insurance lawyer in Albany, on Auckland’s north shore and a director of Claims Information Specialists Ltd, running an insurance information website – www.claimshelp.co.nz.

Articles by Andrew Hooker


Demand surge - what you need to know

Before you settle a quake claim, make sure your insurer has included enough for the costs of 'demand surge' says Andrew Hooker. Your experience?

Stalled insurance reforms

Andrew Hooker calls on the Government to pass the Law Commission's recommended changes for how insurance disclosure works, limiting the insurers' privileged position. Your view?

Indemnity value - what does it mean?

Andrew Hooker reveals what the Courts have ruled on how indemnity and replacements provisions must be handled by insurance companies. How have insurers treated you?

The arrival of independent assessors

Andrew Hooker previews the arrival of independent insurance assessors and reviews why the insurance industry fears their involvement in the claims process. Your experience?

First blood battles with insurers

Insurance litigator Andrew Hooker looks at some of the contentious Christchurch earthquake claim cases rattling through the courts with some warnings to the insured about how to stay on guard. Your experience?

Insurers cashing in on desperation

Andrew Hooker looks at the perils of taking a cash settlement for earthquake related damage and warns homeowners to think twice before signing on the dotted line.

What your insurer doesn't know will kill your cover

Andrew Hooker looks at the risks of buying on-line travel insurance and the five-minute questionnaire that glosses over important fineprint detail

Quake hit businesses tipped to fall Feb.22

Insurance specialist Andrew Hooker speculates on a possible insurance aftershock that could wipe out many Christchurch businesses Feb. 22

Where there's smoke, there's a legal firestorm

Andrew Hooker opens the book on a quarrelsome insurance claim and finds out how the onus of proof breaksdown in the courtroom when it comes to arson

How to avoid the insurance merrygoround

Insurance specialist Andrew Hooker expains why insurance is not an even playing field and what homeowners can do about it. Your view?

Reinstatement raising insurance ire in Chch

Andrew Hooker finds out why Christchurch residents are taking to the streets and what they can do about insurance frustrations.

Key issues when settling quake claims

Andrew Hooker looks at insurance company obligations on quake damaged homes. Is a resin injection under the slab good enough?

Don't settle for low ball cash settlements

Insurance specialist Andrew Hooker looks at the dangers of cash settlements as a quick fix to earthquake woes and finds reason for caution. Your view?

Insurance claims cop-outs

Beware of the insurance investigator's questions, warns Andrew Hooker

Income protection deception

Andrew Hooker deconstructs income protection insurance policies and finds some big gaps between expectations and coverage.

Insurance confusion abounds in Christchurch

Andrew Hooker finds insurers and the EQC are failing miserably to deal with Christchurch quake claims. Your experience?

Opinion: The problem of unjustified blacklisting

Insurance troubleshooter Andrew Hooker sheds some light on lopsided insurance relationships

Insurers eye 'depopulation' excuse

Insurers may try to wriggle out of quake claims for lost business on the grounds of 'depopulation', Andrew Hooker explains. Your experience?

'How quake victims should lodge claims'

Insurance expert Andrew Hooker details what Christchurch's quake victims need to check before claiming. Your experience?

The pressure to prove ownership

What you paid for a lost item is irrelevant, its what its worth. Andrew Hooker explains