Bottrell v National Mutual Life [2007] NSWSC 458

Reported Decision : (2007) 14 ANZ Insurance Cases 90-130

New South Wales Supreme Court

CITATION : Bottrell v National Mutual Life [2007] NSWSC 458 This decision has been amended. Please see the end of the judgment for a list of the amendments.

HEARING DATE(S) : 30 April, 1, 2 & 3 May 2007

JUDGMENT DATE : 1 June 2007

JUDGMENT OF : Hammerschlag J

DECISION : Verdict for the plaintiff

CATCHWORDS : LIFE INSURANCE – Income Protection Policy – Purported avoidance by insurer defendant on grounds of fraudulent misrepresentation and non-disclosure as to income and medical history – Whether misrepresentations and non-disclosure – Whether made fraudulently – Plaintiff seeks damages for repudiation of policy– Basis for calculating such damages – Determination of entitlement to benefits under policy, period over which benefits would have been received, and present value of the entitlement

Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth) Insurance (Agents and Brokers) Act 1984 LEGISLATION CITED : Life Insurance Act 1995 (Cth) Health Insurance Act 1973 (Cth) Medical Practice Act 1992 (NSW)

Permanent Trustee Australia Co Ltd v FAI General Insurance Co Ltd (2001) 50 NSWLR 679 Tyndall Life Insurance Co Ltd v Chisholm (2000) 11 ANZ Ins Cas 90-104 Lamb v Johnston (1914) 15 SR (NSW) 65 Briginshaw v Briginshaw (1938) 60 CLR 336 Robinson v Harman (1848) 1 Ex Ch. 850 CASES CITED : Wenham v Ella (1972) 127 CLR 454 The Commonwealth v Amann Aviation Pty Ltd (1991) 174 CLR 64 Pennant Hills Restaurant Pty Ltd v Barrell Insurances Pty Ltd [1977] 2 NSWLR 827 Luckin v Hamlin (1869) 21 LT 366 TCN Channel 9 Pty Ltd v Hayden Enterprises Pty Ltd (1989) 16 NSWLR 130 Sellars v Adelaide Petroleum N.L. (1994) 179 CLR 332