Client Categories: Lloyd's and London Market

Rebuilding Christchurch


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Over 90% of claims from the Christchurch quakes have been settled, but that still leaves a significant number of losses unresolved.

It is over five years since the first serious earthquake occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand, and there have been nearly 14,000 aftershocks. The 6.3M quake on 22 February 2011 killed 185 people, destroyed much of the inner city and rendered several suburbs permanently uninhabitable. Cunningham Lindsey has been involved in approximately 30,000 claims and has surveyed in excess of 60,000 damaged properties.


  • The Challenge:

    Before the earthquakes the Cunningham Lindsey New Zealand company had 185 staff. We lost both Christchurch offices during the earthquakes, but thankfully none of our staff or their families were seriously injured.

  • The Solution:

    At the height of the earthquake response, our numbers swelled to over 550, and many of the additional adjusters came from Cunningham Lindsey in Australia, the UK, South Africa, Canada, Spain and the US. In normal times the New Zealand office has five chartered accountants. At one stage after the earthquakes we had 56 accountants on board to handle nearly 6,000 earthquake business interruption claims, dealing with customers under great stress, many with businesses and homes in ruins.

Mitigating the impact of business interruption


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Mitigating the business interruption loss involved modifying the production layouts at the policyholder’s other facilities.

Once the production line was ready to resume operation Forensic Advisory Services deemed the most effective mitigation measure was to continue manufacturing the non-exclusive tiles at the other facilities for a few weeks, while solely dedicating the damaged facility to producing the exclusive product.


  • The Challenge:

    The insured manufactured four different types of ceiling tiles at the affected production plant. Although three of these could be produced in its other premises, a fourth was exclusive to the manufacturer and could only be produced at the damaged facility. As some of the plant’s tiles could only be produced at that site, early estimates for the business interruption loss ranged from $8m to $12m.

  • The Solution:

    To mitigate the business interruption loss to best effect so that the insured could continue to supply its non-exclusive tiles to market while also enabling it to resume production of its exclusive product as quickly as possible.

Finding proof of fraud, where little evidence exists


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Alarm bells rang when a fire occurred at a warehouse owned by a business that supplied advanced technological components. While the business did not appear to be in difficulty, arson was suspected.

The total material damage and business interruption claim was estimated at more than £1,000,000, including damaged stock totalling more than £350,000.

On the basis of the forensic fire analysis, detailed field work by our fraud investigator and financial analysis by our forensic accountant, the cumulative weight of evidence was enough for the insurer to deny liability on the basis of arson and insurance fraud.


  • The Challenge:

    A “high-level” review indicated the business was generally sound, however a fire expert concluded the blaze had been deliberate.

  • The Solution:

    A detailed investigation including witness statements, fire analysis and forensic accounting uncovered both a motive (the desire by owners to change the business model) and strong evidence for arson.

2015 Australian storms and floods


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A spate of hailstorms and cyclones caused widespread damage throughout New South Wales and Queensland during the early part of 2015, with claims reaching US$1.5bn

We worked closely with insurers and brokers to make sure policyholders received the best possible service.

We quickly mobilised local teams including technical loss adjusters, restorers, building consultants, engineers and forensic accountants to provide immediate assistance, with our 24/7 Customer Services Centre in Wollongong ensuring priority was given to the worst-affected customers.


  • The Challenge:

    After a succession of natural catastrophes, including hail storms, cyclones and floods, the damage ranged from minor water damage of homes through to total commercial building collapse and business interruption. In total, the industry received over 170,000 claims that it needed to assess and process as quickly as possible.

  • The Solution:

    Cunningham Lindsey stepped up its response, establishing Catastrophe Management Offices for each event, setting up Customer Care Teams in Melbourne, Parramatta, Adelaide and Brisbane and bringing in 20 experts from the UK, New Zealand and US, experienced in the complexities of severe storm losses, to support local teams.

Tianjin Explosions

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On 12 August 2015 two massive explosions occurred at the Port of Tianjin, China, killing over 150 people. The disaster is one of the largest and most complex man-made losses to occur in the region.

The blast affected a 3km radius, leaving a massive crater, destroying warehouses and incinerating thousands of cars and shipping containers.

Total claims could reach $3.3bn, excluding losses from business interruption and supply chain interruption.

Cunningham Lindsey took immediate steps to mobilise its local team, led by China manager John Law. An additional 30 experts were drafted in from other offices to assist.


We responded to the explosion in Tianjin rapidly... it gave us a chance to shine and to get our customers back on their feet

Jane Tutoki

Cunningham Lindsey

Global CEO

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  • The Challenge:

    Concerns by authorities that toxic chemicals had been dispersed by the blast, in particular sodium cyanide, meant access to the site was severely restricted in the immediate aftermath.

  • The Solution:

    The Cunningham Lindsey team worked closely with brokers and insurers to make use of satellite imagery and drone footage in order to gather information, carry out initial loss assessments and keep clients informed during this period.