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José Umbert
Partner
London
19 Great Winchester Street
2nd Floor
London, EC2N 2JA
TEL: 020 3805 6295
{ mail } jumbert@zellelaw.com
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Practice Areas
Bar and Court Admissions
Education
Past Professional Experience

José M. Umbert

(he/him/his)

José represents insurance companies in complex first- and third-party claims. He advises on coverage in property, business interruption, and liability claims, with a focus on energy losses, and handles disputes in the U.S., many countries in Latin America, and Spain. José also acts as coverage and monitoring counsel for U.S. casualty claims, mainly in the oil and gas sector. He is an English solicitor and a licensed attorney in California and Spain, and has written and presented on many insurance coverage issues.

Representative Matters

First-Party Claims

Acting for insurers in several losses at windfarms in Mexico

Represented insurers in business interruption (BI) claim at hydroelectric plant in Chile

Advising insurers on several losses at power plants in Ecuador

Representing reinsurer in delay in start-up (DSU) claim at refinery in Peru

Acted for insurers in construction loss at solar plant in Mexico

Liability Claims

Representing insurers in many claims for accidents at oil and gas facilities in Texas and Louisiana

Advising insurers on coverage for oil spill off the Peruvian coast

Acting as monitoring counsel for excess insurers in several large casualty claims in the U.S.

Articles & Presentations

"California Fair Claims Settlement Practices," multiple in-house client seminars, 2016-present, co-presenter

"The Deposition Process," multiple in-house client seminars, 2019-present, co-presenter

“Corrosion Exclusions – Differences Across the Atlantic,” The Zelle Lonestar Lowdown, October 31, 2025, co-author

“Is Your War Exclusion Fit for Purpose?” May 6, 2025, co-author

“Tendering Defense and Indemnity to Excess Carriers and Other Parties,” Zelle LLP Webinar Week, May 1, 2025, co-presenter

"From Claims to Courtrooms - Liability Trends and Challenges in the U.S. and England," Afternoon with Zelle, Old Lloyd's Library, London, April 3, 2025, presenter 

"After Climate Rulings, Insurers May Go On Coverage Offense," Law360, October 13, 2022, co-author

"Insurer Implications As 3 Climate Suits Return to State Courts," Law360 Insurance Authority, April 26, 2022, co-author

"California Wildfires - Underwriting Considerations," November 1, 2021, co-author

"COVID-19 Insurance Issues To Watch In Civil Law Countries," Insurance Law360, March 2, 2021, co-author

"Climate Change Litigation Goes Before the Supreme Court," January 5, 2021, co-author

"Climate Change and Insurance: Insurers' Subrogation Claims," Insurance Law360, July 12, 2019, co-author

"Climate Change and Insurance: Lliuya v. RWE Makes History," Insurance Law360, March 22, 2019, co-author

"Climate Change and Insurance: Litigation Risks for Insurers," Insurance Law360, January 23, 2019, co-author

"Stressed about CATs? The London Market Is Ready," CAT-Law Navigator, April 11, 2017, author

"The “El Niño” Effect In Peru, Can Anything Be Done?," LatAm Insurance Navigator, March 23, 2017, co-author

"Atmospheric Rivers Making Landfall in California and Causing Major Flooding," CAT-Law Navigator, February 8, 2017, author

"Handling (Re) insurance Claims in Mexico," Lloyd's Market Association Masterclass, June 14, 2016, co-presenter

"Claims in Latin America:  Critical Issues for International (Re)Insurers," Lloyd's Market Association Masterclass, May 5, 2016, co-presenter

"Adjusting International Claims," Zelle Insurance Webinar Series - Catastrophes, November 14, 2016, co-presenter

"Natural Disasters in Latin America: Reinsurance Issues," Insurance Law360, November 6, 2015, co-author

"A Primer on Insurance Dispute Resolution in China," Insurance Law360, July 14, 2015, co-author

"Latin American Business Series - Legal Tour of Latin America," Lloyd's Market Association Masterclass, July 7, 2015, co-presenter

"A Primer on Insurance Underwriting in China," Insurance Law360, June 10, 2015, co-author

"Latin America Business Series – Introduction: The Common Themes," Lloyd's Market Association Masterclass, April 29, 2015, co-presenter

"'Loss' In Translation: Insurers Beware," Insurance Law360, February 19, 2015, co-author

"Primer On Civil And Common Law For The Int’l Insurer," Insurance Law360, October 31, 2014, co-author

"Insurance In Brazil: A Reinsurance Perspective," Insurance Law360, August 14, 2014, co-author

"Primer On Underwriting Insurance Risks In Argentina," Insurance Law360, June 19, 2014, co-author

Professional Affiliations

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