Author: Brunner, Grace

You’re Invited: Lunchtime Lecture with Prof. Margarida Lima Rego

Posted on by

The Insurance Law Center at UConn Law

is pleased to invite you to a lunchtime lecture by

Margarida Lima Rego

Professor, Nova School of Law, Lisbon

on the topic of

“Digital Transformation in Insurance: The Contract-as-Product Approach to Overcoming Information Overload”

on

Tuesday, February 4th, 12:30pm ET

Hosmer Hall, Ground Floor Conference Room (next to Faculty Lounge)

Lunch will be provided. Remote option available upon registration.

Please Register by Friday 1/31

Abstract:

This paper discusses how digital transformation is pushing the traditional model of contract formation into obsolescence. It argues that, largely as a consequence of the digital transformation and the inherent information overload, formal adherence to that model has slowly but steadily numbed everyone into mechanically declaring that they have read, understood, and agreed to a growing number of boilerplate or standard terms. This raises questions about whether these agreements are still contractual in nature. The chapter focuses on the recent product oversight and governance requirements in EU Law. It is submitted that the adoption of a contract-as-product approach is better equipped to protect insurance customers than transparency requirements based on the proliferation of information duties, given that most will choose not to assimilate the information that is so abundantly provided to them, this being an increasingly rational choice in view of the growing information overload. The contract-as-product approach also opens the door to the questioning of the contractual nature of standard terms, entailing some measure of recognition that they are often closer to a supplier’s instruction manuals than to the product of a meeting of the contract parties’ minds.

Full paper available for download here.

ILC Calls for Papers for Upcoming Insurance Law and AI Conference

Posted on by

INVITATION & CALL FOR PAPERS

Presented by the Insurance Law Center at UConn Law & the University of Minnesota

Conference: Insurance, AI & the Law

Friday, May 30, 2025

8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET

Can insurance manage the new risks that come with the rapid advances in artificial intelligence? How will AI transform the insurance industry itself—from reshaping underwriting, to driving claims processing, to influencing the drafting and interpretation of insurance contracts? Can insurers adapt to the ethical and regulatory challenges posed by AI, ensuring fairness, accountability, and transparency in its use? Can insurance serve as a guiding force to promote the responsible development of this groundbreaking technology? These are some of the problems that this conference aims to address. 

The Insurance Law Center at UConn Law, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Law School, is pleased to welcome academics, practitioners, regulators, and students to a conference on Friday, May 30th, 2025 at the UConn Law campus in Hartford. Attendance is free. 

Participants and attendees are encouraged, but not required, to submit papers in conjunction with this event, for potential publication in the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal.

Virtual attendance option available.

For more information: ilc@uconn.edu.

Advisory Committee Appointed for the Insurance Law Journal

Posted on by

The Connecticut Insurance Law Journal is proud to announce the creation of an Advisory Committee for the Journal. The Committee is composed of preeminent insurance scholars from around the country. The current members of the Advisory Committee are:  

  • Kenneth Abraham, University of Virginia School of Law, David and Mary Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law 
  • Tom Baker, University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, William Maul Measey Professor of Law 
  • Allison Hoffman, University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, Professor of Law 
  • Kyle Logue, University of Michigan Law School, Interim Dean and Douglas A. Kahn Collegiate Professor of Law 
  • Daniel Schwarcz, University of Minnesota Law School, Frederickson & Byron Professor of Law 
  • Peter Siegelman, University of Connecticut School of Law, Phillip I. Blumberg Professor of Law 
  • Jeffrey Stempel, William S. Boyd School of Law, Doris S. and Theodore B. Lee Professor of Law 

The members of the Advisory Committee will counsel the CILJ leadership on important decisions facing the Journal, including its peer review process and the selection of symposium topics. We invite you to learn more about the Committee, its roles and responsibilities, and its members on our Advisory Committee section of the website. 

ILC & CT Insurance Law Journal Host ESG & Insurance Symposium

Posted on by

A Symposium Sponsored by the Insurance Law Center & the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal

ESG, Insurance & the Law 

On Friday, May 31, 2024, the Insurance Law Center and the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal successfully hosted a symposium on ESG, Insurance & the Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law in Hartford. The full-day event, which ran from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, brought together leading academics, regulators, and industry professionals to discuss the intersection of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and their impact on insurance law.

The symposium, held in the Davis Courtroom of William F. Starr Hall, drew a diverse group of attendees. Discussions were structured around four key panels that addressed academic, industry, consumer, and legislative perspectives on ESG in insurance. Esteemed panelists included:

Academic Perspectives Industry Perspectives Consumer Perspectives Legislation & Regulation
  • Matt Lesser, Connecticut State Senate
  • Tom Swan, Connecticut Citizens Action Group
  • Tom Sullivan, Federal Reserve; formerly Connecticut Insurance Department
Moderator: Peter Siegelman, University of Connecticut School of Law Moderator: Travis Pantin, University of Connecticut School of Law Moderator: Joseph A. MacDougald, University of Connecticut School of Law Moderator: David Robinson, University of Connecticut School of Law, formerly The Hartford

Moderated by UConn Law faculty and experts, the panels provided attendees with a wide-ranging exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing insurers and regulators as ESG issues become increasingly central to the industry. In addition to the panels, the symposium featured opening remarks, breaks for networking, and a closing cocktail reception that allowed for further dialogue between participants.

The Insurance Law Center expressed its gratitude to all speakers, participants, and attendees for contributing to a productive and engaging event.

For any follow-up questions or further information, attendees are encouraged to contact the Insurance Law Center at ilc@uconn.edu.