Cockatoo guide

Utmost good faith in insurance

Utmost good faith is a legal concept relevant to insurance relationships.

Utmost good faith is a legal concept relevant to insurance relationships.

The distinction that matters

Its operation depends on applicable law; an overseas maxim does not by itself state an Australian applicant’s complete disclosure obligations.

What to check

  • Identify jurisdiction and policy type.
  • Answer application questions accurately.
  • Seek advice on an actual dispute.

Example to discuss

An applicant asks about an unclear question rather than relying on a generic maxim to decide what to disclose.

This is a hypothetical comparison, not a customer claim or a determination of cover.

Sources and further reading

General information only. The policy, schedule and applicable rules determine the actual position. For a personal decision, use an appropriately qualified adviser or the relevant provider.

Sources

References used in this guide