Press Releases and Announcements - 04 March 2011
Maurice Blackburn insurance expert appointed to National Disaster Insurance Review
John Berrill, principal and head of Maurice Blackburn's
insurance litigation practice, has been appointed to the Federal
Government's National Disaster Insurance Review announced today in
Brisbane.
The three-person panel was appointed by Assistant Treasurer Bill
Shorten.
Other panel members are John Trowbridge (chair) and Jim
Minto.
Mr Berrill has over 20 years experience in consumer law relating
to insurance and superannuation and he heads up the largest
plaintiff insurance practice in Australia, providing advice and
advocacy to consumers and people with disabilities.
Mr Berrill was a consumer representative on the Financial
Industry Complaints Service Panel and Board between 1995 until
2009. He is currently a representative on the Financial Ombudsman
Service (FOS) Life Insurance Advisory Committee, the Travel
Compensation Fund Board and the "Stronger Super" Consultative
Committee.
The NDIR will examine the insurance arrangements for
individuals, small businesses and governments for damage and loss
associated with flood and other natural disasters.
The terms of reference include:
a) The extent of, and reasons for, non-insurance and
underinsurance for flood and other natural disasters in
Australia.
b) The ability of private insurance markets to offer adequate
and affordable insurance cover for individuals, small businesses
and governments for flood and other natural disasters.
c) Factors that may impede the private insurance market in
offering such cover.
d) Measures that could improve the ability of the private
insurance market to offer such cover and the take-up of such cover
by individuals, small businesses and governments.
The Review Panel will provide a final report to the Assistant
Treasurer by 30 September, 2011.
Further background on John Berrill and detailed flood advice for
consumers
www.mauriceblackburn.com.au/floods-landing-page.aspx