Insurance Lawyer Auckland — Declined Claims & Insurance Dispute Specialist

Has your insurer declined, delayed, or under-settled your claim? Tim Gunn is a specialist insurance litigation lawyer based in Matakana, north of Auckland, acting exclusively for policyholders — not insurers — across New Zealand.

With over 20 years of experience, Tim has recovered more than $10 million in insurance claims for NZ clients and has acted as lead counsel in High Court decisions now cited in Colinvaux's Law of Insurance in New Zealand (3rd ed.) — the leading authority on insurance law in this country. He has litigated against every major insurer in New Zealand and knows how they operate.

Insurers frequently decline or under-assess claims on the basis of alleged non-disclosure, exclusion clauses, or disputed policy interpretation. Tim reviews the policy, assesses the insurer's position, and represents clients in negotiations or litigation to achieve a fair and lawful outcome.

What to do when your insurance claim is declined

Receiving a decline letter from your insurer can be overwhelming — particularly when you are already dealing with illness, injury, property damage, or financial stress. You do not have to accept the insurer's decision. Many declined claims are successfully challenged with the right legal advice.

Tim offers a free initial consultation to assess your situation, explain your options, and give you an honest view of whether your claim has merit. There is no obligation to proceed.

Insurance claims Tim Gunn can help with

Income protection, TPD and trauma insurance Tim has extensive experience challenging declined income protection, total and permanent disability (TPD), and trauma insurance claims — including against New Zealand's largest life insurers. This includes claims declined on mental health grounds, disputed definitions of disability, and innocent non-disclosure. More information is available on the Disablement Law page.

House, flood and natural disaster claims Tim has acted for homeowners and commercial property owners in claims arising from the Canterbury earthquakes, Auckland Anniversary Floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, and subsidence and landslip events. This includes disputes with EQC, challenges to deficient repair methodologies, and claims for inadequate settlement amounts. More information is available on the Property Damage Claims page.

Life and health insurance Tim acts for policyholders in disputed life insurance and health insurance claims, including claims declined for congenital conditions, mental health disorders, PTSD, chronic fatigue, traumatic brain injury, and Long Covid.

Construction and leaky building insurance Tim handles professional indemnity insurance claims involving engineers, architects, valuers, and project managers, as well as building defect and leaky building disputes.

Business interruption and fire and flood losses Tim acts for business owners in commercial insurance disputes including business interruption claims, fire losses, and significant flood damage events.

Travel insurance Tim advises on disputed travel insurance claims where insurers have declined or limited their liability.

Our services

Insurance claims management Tim assists policyholders in understanding and navigating the claims process, advocating on their behalf to achieve fair and timely compensation. This includes reviewing your policy, advising on your entitlements, and managing communications with the insurer.

Insurance coverage disputes Tim represents policyholders in disputes over policy coverage, interpretation, exclusions, and claim declinatures. Depending on the circumstances, disputes are resolved through negotiation, mediation, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman, or litigation — always with your interests at the centre.

Policy review and analysis Tim provides a thorough review of your insurance policy so you understand exactly what you are entitled to before a dispute arises, or at any point during the claims process.

Costs and litigation strategy

Insurance disputes often involve financial stress on top of whatever has already gone wrong. Tim provides clear advice from the outset on the expected pathway, likely costs, and the most efficient strategy for your situation.

His approach focuses on minimising unnecessary legal costs, identifying the decisive issues early, using targeted evidence to strengthen your position, and pursuing early settlement where it is in your interest. Where a staged or phased fee arrangement is appropriate, Tim can discuss that option at your initial consultation.

The goal is straightforward: the strongest possible result, delivered as efficiently as possible.

Talk to Tim about your insurance dispute

If your claim has been declined, delayed, or you believe you have been under-settled, contact Tim today for a free, no-obligation initial conversation.

Call: 027 322 6313 Email: tim@timgunn.co.nz