Delos Shipholding SA v Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty SE

Subject Matter

INSURANCE — Marine — Claim

[2024] EWHC 719 (Comm); [2024] 1 Lloyd's Rep 489, KBD

INSURANCE — Marine — Exemption clause — Infringement of territorial shipping laws — Claimants’ vessel lawfully detained by foreign court following breach of territorial shipping laws — Claimants bringing claim for constructive total loss — Defendant insurers relying on exclusion in policy of detention by reason of infringement of customs or quarantine regulations “and similar”— — Whether exclusion applying — Whether claimants breaching duty of fair presentation of risk by failing to disclose knowledge of criminal charges brought against vessel owner’s sole nominee director — Insurance Act 2015 (c 4), ss 3, 4(3)(8)

[2025] EWCA Civ 1019; [2025] Bus LR 2216; [2025] 2 Lloyd's Rep 117; [2025] WLR(D) 422, CA

INSURANCE — Marine — Exclusion clause — Policy excluding loss resulting from arrest, restraint or detainment under customs or quarantine regulations “and similar” — Vessel detained for prolonged period having anchored illegally — Whether exclusion applying — Proper approach to construction of “and similar” — American Institute Hull War Risks and Strikes Clauses (1977), exclusion (e)

[2025] EWCA Civ 1019; [2025] Bus LR 2216; [2025] 2 Lloyd's Rep 117; [2025] WLR(D) 422, CA

INSURANCE — Contract — Material non-disclosure — Insured’s duty to make to insurer fair presentation of risk — Duty including disclosure of every material circumstance known to insured — Corporate insured only knowing information known by individuals forming part of its “senior management” — Identification of individuals forming part of “senior management” — Whether sole director necessarily within term — Insurance Act 2015 (c 4), ss 3(1)(3)(4), 4(1)(3)(8)

[2025] EWCA Civ 1019; [2025] Bus LR 2216; [2025] 2 Lloyd's Rep 117; [2025] WLR(D) 422, CA

Appellate History