Life Insurance Australia :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Suncorp's AAMI and GIO fined for breaches of internal review timeframes

Suncorp's AAMI and GIO fined for breaches of internal review timeframes

Suncorp's AAMI and GIO fined for breaches of internal review timeframes?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

The New South Wales State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) has recently imposed a fine of $100,000 on Suncorp's compulsory third party (CTP) brands AAMI and GIO for failing to meet their internal review timeline obligations.
This marks the first time that a civil penalty has been imposed on CTP insurers under the Motor Accident Injuries Act.

According to SIRA, the fines stem from breaches of AAMI and GIO's internal review timeframes between April 1, 2018 and August 31, 2020. The regulator began investigations in response to complaints about delays that customers were experiencing when seeking internal reviews. Despite issuing letters of censure to AAMI and GIO, SIRA found further breaches during their monthly performance monitoring of internal reviews in September 2020.

As a result, SIRA launched a further investigation into the ongoing issues between April 2018 and August 2020, identifying breaches and contraventions of the Act, the Motor Accident Guidelines, and their license conditions. Show cause notices were issued to the insurers in May 2022, leading to the decision to impose a civil penalty of $50,000 each for AAMI and GIO. The Act provides for fines of up to $110,000.

In determining the appropriate penalty, SIRA took into consideration the experience of customers, the acknowledgement by AAI Limited of their conduct, the significant efforts made to address the backlog of internal reviews and communicate options to customers, and the development and implementation of a remediation plan. The regulator has stated that they will continue to closely monitor the performance and compliance of the insurers.

This news serves as a reminder of the importance of timely and efficient internal reviews for insurers, as well as the need for compliance with regulatory guidelines. Suncorp's CTP brands, AAMI and GIO, will have to pay close attention to their internal processes in the future to avoid similar penalties.

Published:Friday, 27th Jan 2023
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

AustralianSuper Announces Reduction in Default Income Protection Cover
AustralianSuper Announces Reduction in Default Income Protection Cover
20 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori
AustralianSuper, one of Australia's largest superannuation funds, has announced a significant change to its default income protection insurance. Effective from 28 February 2026, the fund will reduce the default income protection cover to $1,000 per month. This adjustment aims to align insurance coverage with members' actual income levels and prevent over-insurance, which can erode retirement savings. - read more
APRA Postpones Changes to Individual Disability Income Insurance Policy Terms
APRA Postpones Changes to Individual Disability Income Insurance Policy Terms
20 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a suspension of the planned changes to individual disability income insurance (IDII) policy contract terms. Originally set to take effect from 1 October 2022, the implementation has been deferred for at least two years, providing insurers and policyholders additional time to adapt to the forthcoming regulations. - read more
Ocean Underwriting Expands Product Suite with Cyber Insurance for SMEs
Ocean Underwriting Expands Product Suite with Cyber Insurance for SMEs
20 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori
Ocean Underwriting, in collaboration with Tokio Marine Management Australasia, has launched a new cyber insurance product tailored for Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This addition marks a significant expansion of Ocean's offerings, which already include property, liability, and professional indemnity insurance. - read more
Club Marine Revamps Policies to Reflect Modern Boating Innovations
Club Marine Revamps Policies to Reflect Modern Boating Innovations
20 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori
Club Marine, Australia's leading provider of recreational boat insurance, has undertaken a comprehensive review of its product disclosure statements (PDS) to better align with contemporary boating trends and technologies. This initiative reflects the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of the marine insurance industry. - read more
AUB Group's Strategic Acquisition of Prestige Marks Global Growth
AUB Group's Strategic Acquisition of Prestige Marks Global Growth
20 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori
In a strategic move to bolster its international footprint, AUB Group, a prominent Australian insurance broker, has announced the acquisition of UK-based Prestige for $432 million. This acquisition signifies a pivotal step in AUB Group's global expansion strategy, enhancing its presence in the international insurance market. - read more
Need a Bigger Boat?
Image for Need a Bigger Boat?We provide direct access to the best Boat Loan rates and options in Australia through our national panel of specialist marine finance brokers. Simply complete our quick & easy Boat Loan quote enquiry form to see if you qualify - and to gain access to the best Boat Loan offers from our broker panel.


Life Insurance Articles

Understanding Life Insurance: How to Get the Best Online Quotes
Understanding Life Insurance: How to Get the Best Online Quotes
The digital age has fundamentally transformed how we approach almost every aspect of our lives, including the way we shop for life insurance in Australia. Gone are the days when one had to schedule meetings with insurance agents or flip through pamphlets to understand life insurance policies. Today, obtaining life insurance quotes online has become the norm, offering a hassle-free and incredibly accessible platform for individuals to safeguard their financial future. - read more
Top 5 Reasons to Consider Life Insurance While You're Young
Top 5 Reasons to Consider Life Insurance While You're Young
When you’re young, life is all about new experiences and making plans for a promising future. While factors like travel, career, and relationships often take centre stage, one aspect often overlooked is life insurance. It might seem like something to consider later in life, but starting a policy while you're young can be a savvy financial move. - read more
Understanding Life Insurance: How to Determine Coverage Amounts
Understanding Life Insurance: How to Determine Coverage Amounts
Life insurance is a cornerstone of financial planning, offering peace of mind to you and security for your loved ones. It's a contract between you and an insurance company: in exchange for regular premiums, the insurer agrees to pay a sum of money to designated beneficiaries upon your passing. This vital tool ensures that your family's financial needs can be met during an incredibly difficult time. - read more
How to Prepare for a Hassle-Free Life Insurance Claim
How to Prepare for a Hassle-Free Life Insurance Claim
Being prepared when it comes to life insurance claims can make a world of difference. Proper preparation helps you prevent delays and denials, ensuring that your loved ones receive the financial support promised by your policy without unnecessary hold-ups. By paying attention to the details, you can streamline the claims process, giving you and your family peace of mind during what is already a stressful time. - read more
Maximize Your Safety Net: Top Tips for Optimizing Income Protection Benefits
Maximize Your Safety Net: Top Tips for Optimizing Income Protection Benefits
Welcome to a pivotal guide dedicated to empowering you with the essentials of income protection insurance in Australia. As we navigate through times of uncertainty, safeguarding your financial wellbeing becomes not just a priority, but a necessity. Income protection insurance stands as one of the key pillars of financial security, ensuring a steady flow of income during periods when you're unable to work due to illness or injury. - read more


Start Here !
life insurance
Apply now for your free Insurance assessment and price comparisons!

Start Here

Life Cover Amount:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free and without obligation by a Specialist from our National Broker referral panel. See our Privacy Statement for more details.


Knowledgebase
Umbrella Policy:
An additional insurance policy that provides extra liability coverage beyond the limits of the insured's primary policies.