Analysis
Why the billions spent on reinsurance is better than nothing
01 September 2025
About 200 years ago, the reinsurance market was born when the first known contract between two German insurers was signed...
SMEs need stronger AI protection to innovate freely
25 August 2025
When most people think of technology companies at the forefront of AI, their minds go straight to household names – the multinationals that power platforms we rely on every day. But the reality is far more diverse...
World on fire: Gallagher flags new era of risk
18 August 2025
This northern hemisphere summer, the wildfire headlines just keep on coming...
‘The shift we need’: home ratings part of the conversation on resilience
11 August 2025
After its crushing win in the May election, productivity ranks high on the Albanese government’s domestic agenda, and it is among key issues to be discussed at an economic summit in Canberra next week...
The unseen danger of internal labour hire
04 August 2025
Companies set up internal labour hire arrangements to achieve flexibility and reduce costs, but they rarely think of the insurance implications, which is leading to a growing risk of workers’ compensation claims flowing through to general indemnity policies...
The credit hire crunch: why insurers must act now
25 July 2025
Australian motor insurers face a growing challenge from credit hire companies, which provide replacement vehicles to drivers involved in no-fault accidents, with costs recovered from the at-fault party’s insurer...
First-half disasters keep pressure on affordability
21 July 2025
Catastrophes in the first half of the year have again highlighted insurance affordability issues, as building costs remain high and taxes add to pressures...
How to cover homes that are turning into power plants
14 July 2025
The traditional home of bricks, mortar and little else is becoming outdated as properties evolve to be sophisticated energy hubs – upending the way they will be insured...
Back to the future: could a 1980s model fix state's affordability woes?
07 July 2025
The industry is agog after Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s announcement last week that, if re-elected this month, Tasmania will create a government-owned general insurer...
AFCA finalises approach on misrepresentations
27 June 2025
The industry ombudsman has released guidance on general insurance disputes relating to breaches of the duty to take reasonable care not to make misrepresentations – one of many reforms arising from the Hayne royal commission...
Embedded insurance: an old idea feels new again – and partnerships are key
23 June 2025
Integrating insurance directly into the purchase journey for goods and services promises to remove friction, lower distribution costs and deliver a much better customer experience...
World-first ransom reporting laws mean a rewrite of the cyber playbook
16 June 2025
Ransom payments can no longer be made in the shadows, free from scrutiny, after Australia became the first country to require that sums paid to cybercriminals be reported to the government...
NSW is again cleaning up after major floods. Are we veering towards the collapse of insurability?
02 June 2025
Once again, large parts of NSW have been devastated by floods...
‘The game has changed’: Kelly defends commission stance
26 May 2025
Some Steadfast brokers are on the warpath over the latest cut to commission levels – and their fury isn’t just directed at the insurer concerned, but also their allegedly “out of touch” network chiefs for accepting the change...
Lloyd’s talks tough in a ‘fragile’ market
19 May 2025
Moderating market conditions are presenting fresh challenges for Lloyd’s, which has turned around its performance with a focus on underwriting discipline after some difficult years...
‘Bring on the next 50 years’: ICA looks beyond milestone
12 May 2025
The Insurance Council of Australia was established on July 1 1975, succeeding the Fire Accident and Marine Underwriters Association, which traced its origins back to 1867...
Building AI foundations for the future of work in insurance
05 May 2025
The recent surge in hype around artificial intelligence might lead some to believe it’s a newcomer to industries such as insurance. In reality, AI has long been an integral part of the sector...
I took my insurer to AFCA, and lost. But here’s what I learnt
28 April 2025
I’ll start this story by confessing a cardinal sin...
How brokers can make a big difference to micro-SMEs
14 April 2025
Micro-SMEs – businesses with fewer than 10 employees – play a vital role in the Australian economy, demonstrating resilience, adaptability and a drive for growth...
Up and down: code report flags breach trends
07 April 2025
Insurers reported 67,394 code breaches last financial year, down 13% on the previous period, and significant breaches also dropped, to 115 from 123...