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Insurance News
Year: Month:

What Rising Insurance Disputes Mean for Income Protection Customers What Rising Insurance Disputes Mean for Income Protection Customers
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

New Zealand’s latest insurance dispute figures are a timely warning for anyone relying on personal cover to protect their household income. The Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme reported that, for the year ended 30 June 2026, health insurance became the largest category of disputes it investigated for the first time, with health disputes up 91 percent and 833 dispute investigations completed across all categories. - read more
Why Falling Insurance Rates May Not Flow Evenly to Truck Operators Why Falling Insurance Rates May Not Flow Evenly to Truck Operators
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh commercial insurance market data is giving Australian businesses a more favourable pricing backdrop, but truck owners should be cautious about assuming broad rate falls will automatically reduce heavy vehicle premiums. Marsh’s Q3 2026 Global Insurance Market Index, released on 21 October 2026, reported a 12 per cent fall in Pacific commercial insurance rates for the quarter, led by property and supported by strong insurer competition and available capacity. - read more
Why Data Centre Work Is a Different Risk for Tradies Why Data Centre Work Is a Different Risk for Tradies
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s fast-growing data centre construction market is opening opportunities for electrical, HVAC, fire protection, cabling, fit-out and commissioning trades, but recent insurance industry discussion suggests the risk settings are not always keeping pace with the work. At a recent Australasian Professional Indemnity Group conference, specialists warned that data centre projects can involve unusual contractual, professional and technology-related exposures, especially where contractors rely on annual insurance programs designed for more conventional building work. - read more
Why Mental Health Cover Is Back in the Income Protection Spotlight Why Mental Health Cover Is Back in the Income Protection Spotlight
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s life insurance industry has moved mental health cover back to the centre of the affordability debate, after the Council of Australian Life Insurers released its response on 30 September 2026 to the independent review of the Life Insurance Code of Practice. For workers who rely on income protection insurance, the issue is practical: mental health conditions can affect earning capacity just as seriously as physical illness, but changes designed to keep premiums manageable may also alter what is covered. - read more
Crash Data Shows Where Truck Risk Is Shifting Crash Data Shows Where Truck Risk Is Shifting
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The 2026 National Truck Accident Research Centre major incident report gives Australian truck operators a useful, if challenging, snapshot of where serious heavy vehicle risk is changing. Released in October 2026 and based on de-identified NTI-insured heavy vehicle major-loss claims, the report points to progress on distraction and fatigue, while also highlighting renewed concern about inappropriate speed and following distance. - read more
New single-project option signals more movement in construction insurance New single-project option signals more movement in construction insurance
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A new single-project construction insurance product has entered the Australian market, adding to signs that capacity is improving for selected residential and commercial building risks. Hutch Underwriting announced the launch in late September 2026, alongside higher limits for its annual construction product, giving brokers another placement option for standalone builds and recurring construction programs. - read more
Delayed Small Business Insurance Inquiry Keeps Cover Concerns on the Agenda Delayed Small Business Insurance Inquiry Keeps Cover Concerns on the Agenda
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has pushed back its reporting timetable, extending the wait for recommendations on insurance affordability, availability and regulation. Insurance News reported on 27 October 2026 that the inquiry, which had been expected to report that day, now intends to table its final report by 26 February 2027 after receiving extensive evidence from across the market. - read more
What the Insurance Code Rewrite Means for Shop Claims What the Insurance Code Rewrite Means for Shop Claims
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s proposed overhaul of the General Insurance Code of Practice has moved from consultation to regulator review, with the Insurance Council of Australia lodging a strengthened code with ASIC on 22 October 2026. For shop owners, this is not an instant change to policy terms, but it is a significant development in how insurers may be expected to handle claims, complaints, vulnerability and customer communication in the next phase of the market. - read more
Why the SME Cyber Insurance Gap Is Becoming Harder to Ignore Why the SME Cyber Insurance Gap Is Becoming Harder to Ignore
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

New research from specialist insurer CFC, reported on 26 October 2026, has put a sharper number on a problem many Australian small businesses already sense: cyber risk is moving faster than insurance take-up. CFC’s local findings indicate seven in 10 Australian SMEs surveyed experienced a cyber incident in the past three years, while standalone cyber policy uptake is still estimated at only 10% to 15%. - read more
Locust Hatchings Put Crop Risk and Policy Wording in Focus Locust Hatchings Put Crop Risk and Policy Wording in Focus
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh reports of Australian plague locust activity in north-west Victoria have added a practical risk-management issue to an already important harvest period. ABC Rural reported on 17 October 2026 that farmers in parts of the Mallee were concerned about growing locust numbers and the cost of control, while Agriculture Victoria’s October updates show hatchings across listed Mallee locations and surveillance extending into the Wimmera. - read more
Claim Disputes Put Life Insurance Service Back in Focus Claim Disputes Put Life Insurance Service Back in Focus
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority’s latest annual review has delivered a measured but important warning for the life insurance sector: overall complaint numbers moved only slightly higher in 2025-26, but the issues most closely connected to claim outcomes rose more sharply. For families relying on cover at a stressful time, that distinction matters more than the headline total. - read more
New claims data puts insurer performance back in focus New claims data puts insurer performance back in focus
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh life insurance claims and disputes data from APRA and ASIC is a timely reminder that the value of cover is measured not only by the premium paid, but by how a policy performs when a family, business partner or estate needs it most. - read more
Genetic testing ban is now live for Australian life insurance Genetic testing ban is now live for Australian life insurance
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s new ban on the use of genetic testing information in life insurance underwriting is now in force, marking a practical shift for individuals and businesses that rely on life-style cover to manage financial risk. From 8 October 2026, life insurers are no longer able to ask for, solicit or use protected genetic testing information when deciding whether to offer life insurance or what terms should apply. - read more
Life Insurers Move to Rewrite Code After Review Life Insurers Move to Rewrite Code After Review
29 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s life insurance industry has moved into the next phase of reform after the Council of Australian Life Insurers released its response to the 2026 review of the Life Insurance Code of Practice. For businesses that use key person cover, the development matters because the code influences practical standards around communication, underwriting explanations, claims handling and support for customers dealing with difficult circumstances. - read more
Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Insurance Pressures in View Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Insurance Pressures in View
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has pushed back its reporting date from 27 October 2026 to 26 February 2027, extending the wait for recommendations on issues that directly affect many Australian trade businesses. The inquiry is examining the provision, regulation and pricing of modern insurance products for small businesses and not-for-profits, including public liability, professional indemnity, cyber cover and business interruption. - read more
Code Watchdog Report Puts Claims Service Back on Employer Agenda Code Watchdog Report Puts Claims Service Back on Employer Agenda
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The Life Code Compliance Committee’s 2025–26 Annual Report has put claims handling, benefit payment timeliness, customer communication and consent processes back under scrutiny for Australia’s life insurance sector. The watchdog reported 10,697 Code breaches affecting 27,289 customers, sanctioned two unnamed insurers for serious non-compliance and confirmed that a dedicated claims-handling inquiry will remain a priority in 2026–27. - read more
Strata Water Damage Ruling Highlights Claims Communication Risk Strata Water Damage Ruling Highlights Claims Communication Risk
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority ruling has put a practical spotlight on one of the most frustrating parts of strata insurance: who receives information, who acts on it, and how quickly affected lot owners are kept in the loop when damage makes a home difficult or impossible to use. - read more
New ARPC report puts strata cyclone cover under the microscope New ARPC report puts strata cyclone cover under the microscope
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation’s latest Cyclone Reinsurance Pool financial outlook has added a new layer to the strata insurance affordability debate, particularly for schemes in northern and cyclone-exposed regions. Released on 21 October 2026, the report found the pool remained financially sound, but it also identified a four per cent fall in reinsured strata properties between 31 March 2025 and 31 March 2026, with the reasons still uncertain. - read more
New Insurance Code Step Highlights Cover Gaps for Tradies New Insurance Code Step Highlights Cover Gaps for Tradies
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia has submitted its proposed strengthened General Insurance Code of Practice to ASIC, marking an important step in the industry’s push to make key service standards more enforceable. For Australian tradies, the development is worth watching because the proposed code could improve accountability in some areas of insurance while leaving several common trade-related covers outside its scope. - read more
Small Business Insurance Inquiry Delay Matters for Beauty Operators Small Business Insurance Inquiry Delay Matters for Beauty Operators
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance will now report later than first expected, keeping insurance affordability and access firmly on the agenda for Australian beauty salons, skin clinics, nail studios and mobile beauticians. The committee had been due to report on 27 October 2026, but its final recommendations are now expected by 26 February 2027 after an extension to consider the evidence received. - read more
Insurance Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Cover Concerns in Focus Insurance Inquiry Delay Keeps Tradie Cover Concerns in Focus
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has reportedly pushed back its final report from 27 October 2026 to 26 February 2027, extending the wait for recommendations on insurance affordability, availability and regulation. For Australian tradies and small trade businesses, the delay matters because the inquiry is examining the types of cover many operators rely on daily, including public liability, professional indemnity, cyber risk and business interruption insurance. - read more
Major Truck Losses Fall, but Human Factors Still Shape Insurance Risk Major Truck Losses Fall, but Human Factors Still Shape Insurance Risk
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The latest National Truck Accident Research Centre major incident findings give transport operators a cautiously positive signal: large heavy vehicle loss numbers eased in 2025, but the underlying causes still point squarely to operational discipline. For businesses managing truck insurance, the practical takeaway is not simply that the road environment has improved. It is that insurers, brokers and fleet managers are likely to keep focusing on preventable risk, especially driver attention, speed, following distance and the quality of safety systems. - read more
Insurance Inquiry Delay Keeps Restaurant Cover in Focus Insurance Inquiry Delay Keeps Restaurant Cover in Focus
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has pushed its final report into 2027, extending the wait for recommendations that could influence how affordability, access and regulation are debated across commercial insurance. For Australian restaurants, cafes and takeaway operators, the delay matters because the inquiry is examining cover types that sit close to day-to-day hospitality risk, including public liability, cyber threats and business interruption. - read more
Stronger Insurance Code Moves Closer to Approval Stronger Insurance Code Moves Closer to Approval
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's general insurance industry has moved a step closer to a more enforceable customer service framework, after the Insurance Council of Australia submitted a strengthened General Insurance Code of Practice to ASIC on 22 October 2026. The redrafted code is not yet in force, but it signals a meaningful shift in how insurer promises on claims, hardship, vulnerability and accountability may operate once approved and transitioned into new and renewed policies. - read more
Why Longer Public Liability Claims Deserve Renewal Attention Why Longer Public Liability Claims Deserve Renewal Attention
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh liability market analysis from KPMG has added an important caution for Australian small businesses: even where parts of the commercial insurance market are becoming more competitive, public liability insurance remains shaped by claims that can take time to settle, develop and fully cost. The firm's 20 October 2026 report draws mainly on APRAs National Claims and Policies Database experience to December 2024 and points to a market entering a more nuanced phase. - read more
Broker Code Overhaul Puts Renewals and Disclosure in Focus Broker Code Overhaul Puts Renewals and Disclosure in Focus
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A new Insurance Brokers Code of Practice has been launched by the National Insurance Brokers Association, putting clearer disclosure, renewal contact and client support standards on the agenda for Australian businesses that use brokers to arrange cover. The 2027 Code takes effect on 1 January 2027 and is designed to set out, in plainer language, what clients should be able to expect from subscribing insurance brokers. - read more
Plain-Language Marine Cover Is Moving Into Smaller Commercial Boats Plain-Language Marine Cover Is Moving Into Smaller Commercial Boats
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent move toward plain-language commercial boat policies is a useful sign for Australian vessel owners who have long found marine insurance wording difficult to navigate. NTI launched a plain-language Commercial Boat policy on 10 August 2026, aimed at smaller and less complex commercial vessels, while Proteus Marine Insurance had already moved in a similar direction with plain English commercial hull wording updated from 6 July 2026. - read more
Saudi Arabia Warning Puts Travel Insurance Timing in Focus Saudi Arabia Warning Puts Travel Insurance Timing in Focus
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's latest Saudi Arabia travel warning has turned a destination safety update into a practical travel insurance issue for Australians with Middle East itineraries, religious travel plans, business trips or transit arrangements. Smartraveller's current advice is to not travel to Saudi Arabia because of the volatile security situation, with travellers told to postpone planned travel, including travel for religious purposes. - read more
Falling Commercial Insurance Rates Do Not Remove Renewal Risk Falling Commercial Insurance Rates Do Not Remove Renewal Risk
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia's commercial insurance market is showing further signs of softening, with Marsh's latest Global Insurance Market Index reporting a 12% fall in Pacific region commercial insurance rates in the September quarter of 2026. For real estate agencies, that may create a more constructive renewal environment, but it should not be mistaken for a simple guarantee of cheaper or broader cover. - read more
Income Protection Complaints Remain a Key Life Insurance Pressure Point Income Protection Complaints Remain a Key Life Insurance Pressure Point
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority’s latest annual review has put income protection insurance back in focus, with the product again attracting the highest number of life insurance complaints in 2025-26. The figures are a useful reminder that the real value of cover is tested not at purchase, but when illness or injury interrupts a person’s capacity to earn. - read more
Farm Flood Dispute Shows the Cost of Delayed Claims Handling Farm Flood Dispute Shows the Cost of Delayed Claims Handling
28 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority determination involving a flooded farmhouse has put claims handling back under the microscope for rural policyholders, after the insurer was ordered to pay almost $432,000 across building repairs, additional temporary accommodation, professional costs and compensation for non-financial loss. The decision, dated 27 August 2026 and reported by Insurance News on 15 October 2026, is a useful reminder that the practical aftermath of a farm flood can extend well beyond the first clean-up. - read more
Truck Claim Dispute Shows Disclosure Evidence Matters Truck Claim Dispute Shows Disclosure Evidence Matters
24 Oct 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision involving a vandalised Hino truck is a useful reminder that disclosure disputes in commercial motor insurance turn on evidence, not assumptions. Reported by insuranceNEWS.com.au on 15 October 2026, the matter ended with Suncorp being ordered to reinstate the policy and reassess the claim after AFCA found the insurer had not proved that undisclosed driving history would have justified refusing the risk. - read more
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Professionals Insurance Articles

Why Do Different Professions Need Different Types of Business Insurance?
Why Do Different Professions Need Different Types of Business Insurance?
Business insurance encompasses a range of insurance products designed to protect businesses against financial loss arising from insured events. Depending on the nature of the business, insurance may respond to property damage, legal liability, professional services, cyber incidents, employee-related risks and other operational exposures. - read more
Essential Insurance Solutions for Australian Professionals
Essential Insurance Solutions for Australian Professionals
In today's ever-evolving professional landscape, having the right insurance coverage is becoming increasingly important for Australian professionals. As more individuals step into freelance work and independent contracting, the need for tailored insurance solutions becomes crucial. Professionals in fields like IT consulting, engineering, and interior design face unique risks that necessitate proper protection. - read more
Public Liability Insurance for Professionals Explained
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Public liability insurance for professionals can help cover claims that someone was injured or their property was damaged in connection with your business activities. This article explains what it may cover, what it usually does not cover, and how it differs from professional indemnity insurance. - read more
How Do Insurance Brokers Assess the Risks Faced by Different Professions?
How Do Insurance Brokers Assess the Risks Faced by Different Professions?
Risk assessment in insurance is the process of identifying, analysing and evaluating the exposures that may result in an insured event or financial loss. For professionals and businesses, this assessment considers the nature of the services provided, the operating environment, contractual obligations, regulatory requirements and other factors that may influence the likelihood or potential cost of future claims. - read more
Protecting Your Professional Income: Understanding Income Protection Insurance
Protecting Your Professional Income: Understanding Income Protection Insurance
Income protection insurance is a financial safety net for individuals who are unable to work due to illness or injury. It ensures that you receive a percentage of your income during times when you cannot earn a salary, helping you maintain your lifestyle as you recover. This type of insurance offers peace of mind by providing financial support when it is needed most, allowing you to focus on recovery rather than financial pressures. - read more

Knowledgebase
Income Insurance:
Insures your income in the event of you being unable to work due to sickness or accident.

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