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Year: Month:

Rising Group Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Life Insurance Rising Group Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Life Insurance
28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

Insurance premiums for group life policies with long-term benefits have surged between 15% to 25% on average in the first half of the year, according to a mid-year market update from Marsh Australia. While the steepest increases affected those with adverse claims experiences, short-term rates and premiums for permanent disabilities remained relatively steady. The sector has also become more selective, with insurers adopting stricter underwriting standards, particularly eschewing high-risk industries. - read more
Concerns Arise Over Construction Code Pause Amid Housing Push Concerns Arise Over Construction Code Pause Amid Housing Push
28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The federal government's initiative to accelerate housing development by relaxing certain building regulations has raised alarm within the insurance sector. Housing Minister Clare O’Neil announced changes on social media, indicating a strategic pause on parts of the National Construction Code to expedite building approvals and encourage the construction of much-needed homes across Australia. This move comes in response to challenges in the approval process, which often delays construction. - read more
RACQ Insurance Ordered to Increase Payout After Claim Handling Flaws RACQ Insurance Ordered to Increase Payout After Claim Handling Flaws
27 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

RACQ Insurance has been instructed to bolster a payout to a customer following a ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). The dispute arose after the insurer's handling of a house fire claim lodged by a woman in October 2023 was found lacking. The fire, initiated by scented candles, resulted in significant fire and smoke damage to her home. - read more
ASIC Review Puts Life Insurance Sector Under Scrutiny ASIC Review Puts Life Insurance Sector Under Scrutiny
26 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has spotlighted significant shortcomings in the direct sale of life insurance products, urging the industry to reassess its sales practices. The recent review unearthed ongoing issues with remuneration structures, indicating that some insurers still link commissions to sales targets, potentially fostering aggressive sales tactics. The study further revealed a troubling rise in claims disputes, with reported cases more than doubling since 2018, raising concerns about the transparency and trustworthiness of these policies. - read more
Ombudsman Sides with Insurer on Imposed Excess Dispute Ombudsman Sides with Insurer on Imposed Excess Dispute
25 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

A recent ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has upheld an insurer's decision to impose an additional $2000 excess on a property policy, following a dispute raised by a policyholder over claims history impacts. - read more
AFCA Rules on Disputed Car Insurance Payout AFCA Rules on Disputed Car Insurance Payout
22 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has decided against a man's claim for a car insurance payout, which he pursued following a dispute with his ex-wife. The issue arose when the man's Toyota Landcruiser was involved in an accident in April, prompting him to file for a cash settlement of $55,950. However, the ex-wife, who held the insurance policy, later blocked his access to the payout. - read more
APRA Addresses Home Insurance Affordability Challenges with New Initiatives APRA Addresses Home Insurance Affordability Challenges with New Initiatives
22 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has highlighted the ongoing challenges of home insurance affordability, emphasizing that the issue remains complex despite a recent moderation in reinsurance costs. APRA Chair John Lonsdale noted that multiple factors contribute to this difficulty, not solely reinsurance expenses. APRA is actively engaging with insurers, government agencies, and the private sector to address these affordability issues. - read more
ASIC Calls for Revamp in Life Insurance Sales and Service ASIC Calls for Revamp in Life Insurance Sales and Service
21 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a call to action for life insurance companies, urging them to enhance their product offerings and sales processes. While acknowledging some progress since the Hayne Royal Commission, ASIC highlights ongoing issues within the industry. The regulator emphasized the importance of centering strategies around customer needs, particularly as companies aim to expand direct-to-consumer sales. - read more
Regulatory Scrutiny Reveals Ongoing Failures in Direct Life Insurance Sales Regulatory Scrutiny Reveals Ongoing Failures in Direct Life Insurance Sales
20 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has released findings from a recent review, revealing persistent deficiencies in the direct sales practices of the life insurance industry. Despite heightened scrutiny following the Hayne Royal Commission, challenges remain in several key areas, including product design, sales strategies, remuneration, and customer complaint handling. - read more
Life Insurers Urge Government Action on Mental Health Funding Life Insurers Urge Government Action on Mental Health Funding
19 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

Life insurers in Australia have joined forces with mental health advocates to press the federal government to honour its $1 billion pledge for mental health initiatives. The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) is among the key signatories of an open letter organized by Australians for Mental Health, urging swift action on funding allocation. - read more
Victorian Resilient Homes Initiative Supported by Insurance Council Victorian Resilient Homes Initiative Supported by Insurance Council
18 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has expressed strong support for a Victorian initiative proposing a resilient homes scheme, akin to those currently operating in New South Wales and Queensland. This recommendation emerged from a comprehensive inquiry into climate resilience conducted by Victoria's Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee, which presented 93 findings alongside 82 recommendations this week. - read more
Broker Ordered to Compensate Client for Uninsured Fire Losses Broker Ordered to Compensate Client for Uninsured Fire Losses
15 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

A recent ruling mandates an insurance broker to pay nearly $300,000 in compensation to a client after an insurer, QBE, declined a fire claim and cancelled the policy due to nondisclosures. The fire, which occurred in October 2022, severely damaged the commercial premises. QBE asserted that they would have denied coverage had they known about asbestos on the property, among other unreported issues. - read more
Insurance Claim Denied Due to Evidence of Multiple Collisions Insurance Claim Denied Due to Evidence of Multiple Collisions
14 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

An insurance dispute arose when a driver was refused coverage for car damage after evidence showed involvement in multiple collisions, contrary to her claim. Initially, the woman filed a claim with Hollard Insurance, stating her car had collided once with another vehicle. However, the situation took a turn when forensic data from in-car technology revealed two separate impacts occurring 11 minutes apart. - read more
ASIC Considers Action as Professional Indemnity Insurance Transparency Falls Short ASIC Considers Action as Professional Indemnity Insurance Transparency Falls Short
12 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has voiced apprehension about the transparency of professional indemnity (PI) insurance amongst holders of the Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSLs). This concern arises from a recent market overview conducted to analyze PI insurance for AFSLs offering personal advice to retail clients. - read more
Traveller Triumphs in Insurance Dispute Over Unexpected Medical Detour Traveller Triumphs in Insurance Dispute Over Unexpected Medical Detour
11 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

A savvy traveller has successfully challenged an insurance decision after having to make an impromptu stay in London due to a medical emergency. This came after the man needed urgent medical attention following a cat bite he sustained in Albania, which sent him to the UK capital for essential treatment. - read more
Revolutionising Life Insurance: Digital PMARs and Next-Gen Underwriting Revolutionising Life Insurance: Digital PMARs and Next-Gen Underwriting
11 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

In the age of instant digital services, where everything from basic necessities to luxury items can be delivered in a blink, the life insurance sector in Australia is poised for a transformative change. Historically plagued by lengthy processing times, the sector faces a persistent underinsurance gap, with over a million Australians lacking adequate life protection. The introduction of a digital Personal Medical Attendant Report (PMAR) by Acenda, formerly MLC Life, marks a significant stride towards addressing this challenge. - read more
Victorian Court Approves $34 Million Add-On Insurance Settlement Victorian Court Approves $34 Million Add-On Insurance Settlement
08 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

A Victorian court has ratified a $34 million settlement in a class action involving add-on insurance products sold by Suncorp. This settlement culminates the legal proceedings surrounding alleged unlawful sales practices. - read more
Study Bolsters Call to Eliminate Insurance Taxes Study Bolsters Call to Eliminate Insurance Taxes
07 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

Recent research from Victoria University has provided new insights supporting the proposal to abolish insurance taxes in Australia. The study, conducted by Jason Nassios and James Giesecke, examined the effects of varying rates on four primary taxes: personal income tax, goods and services tax (GST), stamp duties, and insurance duties. Unlike previous studies, this research assessed the economic impacts of these taxes as their rates fluctuated, rather than analyzing them at static levels. - read more
Policyholder Triumphs in Machinery Damage Dispute Policyholder Triumphs in Machinery Damage Dispute
06 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

A recent decision in an Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) case has ruled in favour of a business seeking coverage for damage to machinery, despite the hiring company not adhering to all prescribed safety guidelines. The matter involved a Winlet 575 Glass Robot that sustained damage when its stabiliser failed during operation. - read more
IVAA Claims Triumphs in Pitch Competition with Fraud Detection Technology IVAA Claims Triumphs in Pitch Competition with Fraud Detection Technology
05 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

In a notable victory, Brisbane-based IVAA Claims emerged as the winner of the esteemed Beyond the Buzzwords pitch contest. The company, which specializes in jewellery validation assessments and settlement guidance for contents claims, impressed the judges with its innovative approach to tackling insurance fraud. - read more
CALI Advocates for Reforms to Bridge Financial Advice Gap for Young Australians CALI Advocates for Reforms to Bridge Financial Advice Gap for Young Australians
04 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has highlighted a significant gap in access to affordable, professional life insurance advice among young Australians. A recent study conducted by CALI reveals that only 11% of 18-to-34-year-olds obtain formal financial guidance, with the majority relying instead on advice from informal and often inaccurate sources such as friends, family, social media, and online forums. - read more
Digitalisation Revolutionises Life Insurers’ Medical Report Process Digitalisation Revolutionises Life Insurers’ Medical Report Process
04 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The process of obtaining Personal Medical Attendant Reports (PMARs) has been a significant administrative issue for Australian life insurers. General Practitioners (GPs) often face an overwhelming amount of paperwork, dedicating nearly a full workday each week to administrative tasks. PMARs, essential for assessing applicants’ health for life insurance, have traditionally been cumbersome and time-consuming, with many GPs delaying their completion. However, the development of digital solutions is set to transform this process and improve efficiency drastically. - read more
Kell to Lead Comprehensive Review of Australia's Life Insurance Code Kell to Lead Comprehensive Review of Australia's Life Insurance Code
01 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

Starting on October 1, a comprehensive review of the voluntary Life Insurance Code of Practice will commence, with a focus on assessing the effectiveness of revisions made to its regulations and standards in 2023. The Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) has appointed Peter Kell to lead this independent review and deliver the final report by June 30 next year. - read more
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Life Insurance Articles

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
Life Insurance and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
Life Insurance and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
Life insurance and estate planning are critical components of financial security. They ensure that your loved ones are protected financially when you are no longer around. By understanding these tools, you can take significant steps to secure your family's future. - read more
Life Events That Should Trigger a Life Insurance Review for Aussie Families
Life Events That Should Trigger a Life Insurance Review for Aussie Families
Life insurance is a cornerstone of financial planning for Aussie families, offering protection and peace of mind. But what happens when the bustling flow of life brings changes? This is where a life insurance review comes into play. A life insurance review is a thorough analysis of your existing policy to ensure it aligns with your current life circumstances and financial goals. - read more
The Digital Age of Insurance: Keeping Costs Down with Online Quotes
The Digital Age of Insurance: Keeping Costs Down with Online Quotes
The horizon of the insurance industry has undergone a transformative shift with the advent of digital technology. With a few clicks, consumers can navigate the once-complex world of insurance policies from the comfort of their home. The digital landscape for insurance services offers unprecedented access to information, comparisons, and instant communication, fostering a more empowered insurance client. - read more
How Pre-Existing Conditions Influence Life Insurance Premiums
How Pre-Existing Conditions Influence Life Insurance Premiums
When it comes to life insurance, a pre-existing condition refers to any medical condition or illness that you have been diagnosed with before applying for a life insurance policy. - read more


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Surrender Value:
The amount of money an insurance policyholder will receive if they voluntarily terminate the policy before it matures.