Draft policy endorsements and exclusion wording from the underwriting brief
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- On the lawyer's instructions, assist with the endorsement or exclusion clause, working from the underwriter's brief, the base wording it amends and the schedule, and keeping to the defined terms the policy already carries. Check the settled clause back against the insuring clause, the definitions, the conditions, the other exclusions, the limits, sub-limits and deductible, and list every overlap, broken cross-reference and gap in cover the new wording creates.
- What the lawyer must review
- The lawyer settles the operative words, because an ambiguity in an exclusion is read against the insurer. Confirm the clause carries out the underwriting instruction and nothing more, that it uses the policy's own defined terms and leaves no conflict or unintended grant of cover elsewhere in the wording, and that the effective date, policy number and any premium adjustment are right. Check it against the Insurance Contracts Act requirements that bear on it, including the duty to clearly inform the insured of an unusual term and the limits on relying on an act or omission, the unfair contract terms regime for consumer and small business cover, and the reinsurance and target market position the endorsement may disturb.
- Written for / version
- US
Open a jurisdiction version of this task to see which instruments apply: US
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Potential support includes preparing preliminary structure or wording and identifying points for review. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Review operative clauses in the complete document, including definitions, cross-references, schedules and inconsistencies with the instructions.
- Review the original source set for relevant material absent from the output, including contrary evidence, qualifications and remaining gaps.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.