insuranceNEWS.com.au - Daily

Industry bodies bemoan ‘killer’ premiums as inquiry hearings begin

Wed, 06 May 2026 06:24:36 GMT

High insurance premiums are a “real killer” for small businesses, a federal parliamentary inquiry heard today...

Prices ‘continue to soften’ but war casts shadow over market

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:43:18 GMT

Australian pricing fell 11%-20% in the first quarter amid abundant capacity and broader coverage, while the Middle East conflict adds uncertainty to the global outlook, according to an Aon report...

‘Dynamic leader’ takes reins as Sedgwick fills top jobs

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:41:45 GMT

Sedgwick has made Simon Kay CEO of its Australian business under a new leadership line-up following the retirement last year of former chief Diego Ascani...

INsight podcast: talking affordability action plans

Wed, 06 May 2026 03:46:13 GMT

Home insurance affordability challenges and what to do about them are discussed in detail on the latest episode of the Insurance News podcast...

icare executive roles hit by 'changes'

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:25:19 GMT

An unspecified number of high-level icare staff will be affected by changes announced today by the NSW state insurer...

Lawyers slam industry as small business inquiry starts hearings

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:12:06 GMT

A federal parliamentary inquiry into insurance challenges facing small businesses, charities and community groups will begin public hearings tomorrow as lawyers argue against “cutting compensation rights”...

Half measure a fair remedy for insured’s double trouble

Tue, 05 May 2026 06:11:52 GMT

The industry ombudsman has backed an insurer in a dispute over dual insurance, after a property owner accidentally doubled up on home and contents policies...

Allied World adds third Australian branch

Mon, 04 May 2026 23:17:50 GMT

Allied World has opened an office in Melbourne as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its position in key regional markets...

NSW inquiry calls for ESL reform submissions

Fri, 01 May 2026 06:12:06 GMT

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into removing the insurance-based emergency services levy has called for submissions on an options paper with five alternative models...

Review proposes tougher ACT strata disclosure

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:55:11 GMT

An ACT parliamentary review has recommended strengthening strata manager commission disclosures and weighing a NSW inquiry model, while also proposing action to address insurance problems in mixed-use buildings...

CBA contract loss dents Helia’s first-quarter GWP

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:44:46 GMT

Lenders’ mortgage insurer Helia has reported a 32% decline in first-quarter gross written premium to $34.5 million and 9% drop in insurance revenue to $84.3 million...

Insurer right to deny repatriation claim after holiday death

Fri, 01 May 2026 04:29:57 GMT

An insurer which excluded a man’s health issues from his travel policy does not have to pay repatriation costs after he died in Greece...

Experts, advocates demand rapid response on affordability

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:25:37 GMT

The federal government should set up a forum in the next six months to drive a national housing resilience program tackling insurance affordability, a cross-sector coalition says...

Listed group takes stake in trades specialist Viz

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:25:24 GMT

Tradie search platform hipages Group has acquired a majority stake in Viz Insurance from Insurtech Gateway Australia for $1.4 million...

APRA tells insurers to improve oversight of AI dangers

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:24:36 GMT

Insurers’ risk management and resilience practices have fallen behind the pace, scale and complexity of their AI adoption, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority warns...

Homeowners win claim dispute after pipe nightmare

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:23:06 GMT

A couple have won a payout of more than $150,000 after a dispute with Allianz over damage to their townhouse caused by a burst hot water pipe...

Ombudsman ‘will never use AI’ for dispute rulings

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:17:59 GMT

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority has ruled out using artificial intelligence to make dispute decisions but is considering its potential for other efficiencies...

Envest recruits CTO to spearhead tech overhaul

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:03:17 GMT

Envest has hired Nadene Serman as group chief technology officer – a new executive position that reflects the “growth and maturity" of the group’s broking and underwriting businesses...

Gold standard: theft victim told to prove watch ownership

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:01:28 GMT

A traveller who was robbed of a $98,000 gold watch while in France will have to prove ownership of the timepiece after the financial services ombudsman backed his insurer’s claim denial...

INsight podcast: likely El Nino impact far from certain

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:28:10 GMT

The Bureau of Meteorology's latest long-range forecast and a pending El Nino are discussed in detail on the latest Insurance News podcast...