It is an unfortunate reality that your business can be severely affected when one of your customers become insolvent. It can be financially crippling on your business and emotionally stressful for you. Although you cannot control the financial viability of your customers, there are a few strategies you can implement to minimise your exposure when your customer is in financial distress.

In the beginning

It is important at the start of a new business relationship that you implement some strategies which can minimise your exposure if your customer is insolvent:

In Berryman v Zurich Australia Ltd [2016] WASC 196 it was decided that a bankrupt's entitlement to claim a TPD benefit under a life insurance policy is not an entitlement that is divisible amongst the bankrupt's creditors, and therefore such an entitlement does not vest in the Official Trustee in bankruptcy. Tottle J of the Supreme Court of Western Australia ruled that the bankrupt insured could continue an action in his own name to recover the TPD benefit. Life insurers may need to adjust their claims' payment practices in light of the Berryman decision.