Welcome to the Insurance Online News podcast with your host, Paige Estritori, where we deliver the latest and most significant news from the world of insurance in Australia. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to bring you the freshest updates, focusing on the stories that matter the most to both Australian businesses and individual consumers over the past week.
Through meticulous research, we transform these developments into original content that not only keeps you informed but also offers deep insights into the insurance landscape as it stands today. Our podcast distills these crucial updates into a format that's both succinct and captivating. For professionals within the insurance realm or personal consumers keen on keeping up with insurance trends, look no further. Paige Estritori brings you all the essential information daily, making our podcast the ultimate destination for trustworthy and impactful insurance news.
This Week:
Premiums keep rising as extreme weather squeezes insurer profits. AFCA says it will never use AI to decide disputes and is preparing a hail claims guide, while insurers add AI exclusions to liability policies. Suncorp buys a five‑year aggregate reinsurance cover to bolster resilience against natural hazards. NSWs SIRA opens consultation on workers compensation regulations until 15 May. Listeners are encouraged to compare policies, review AI-related exposures, keep property and business cover current, and check workers comp settings. Visit insuranceonline.com.au for free quotes and broker support.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori, its 30 April 2026.
First, premiums are still climbing even as insurer profits are squeezed by last years extreme weather. For households and small businesses, that means costs may stay higher for longer. The smart move is to compare cover and excesses side by side and check sums insured so youre not paying for gaps you didnt expect.
Next up, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, says it will never use artificial intelligence to decide disputes, and its preparing a practical guide to tidy up hail claims. At the same time, underwriters are adding AI exclusions to many liability policies as businesses roll out new tools. If your team uses AI for customer decisions or content, ask a broker to review your public liability, professional indemnity and cyber wording so you know whats in and whats out.
Meanwhile, Suncorp has bought a five‑year aggregate reinsurance cover starting 30 June. Its designed to cushion the hit from multiple natural hazard events and smooth earnings volatility. It wont dictate retail pricing on its own, but it signals insurers are rebuilding resilience. For customers, its a reminder to keep property and business interruption cover current as weather risks evolve.
And for NSW employers, the State Insurance Regulatory Authority, or SIRA, is consulting on workers compensation regulations through 15 May. Proposed changes span premium directives, claims forms and decision notices. If you have staff in New South Wales, nows a good time to check your workers comp arrangements and return‑to‑work supports so youre ready when rules are finalised.
Thats it for this week. For free, fast quotes across personal and business insurance, and to connect with independent brokers who can help you compare policies with confidence, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori, thanks for listening.
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.
Follow us!
We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, resources and information.
In a significant advancement for the strata insurance sector, insurtech company Cohabit has launched a digital platform designed to streamline the insurance process for strata schemes. This innovative solution enables property owners and strata managers to review and compare insurance options tailored to their specific buildings, fostering informed decision-making and enhanced transparency. - read more
Suncorp, a leading Australian insurer, has announced a strategic reclassification of its strata insurance business from consumer to commercial, signaling a concerted effort to expand its footprint in the strata insurance market. This move aligns with the company's broader strategy to enhance its commercial insurance offerings and leverage synergies within its portfolio. - read more
Consumer advocacy groups have expressed strong support for the New South Wales (NSW) Productivity and Equality Commission's recent recommendation to prohibit commission payments for strata managers and insurance brokers within the strata sector. This proposed reform is seen as a critical step toward enhancing transparency and safeguarding the interests of property owners. - read more
In recent years, Australia's strata insurance market has experienced notable shifts, primarily driven by escalating climate risks and increasing claims costs. As we move through 2026, these factors continue to influence premium rates and underwriting practices, presenting challenges for owners corporations and strata managers. - read more
Strata communities are at the forefront of Australia's resilience battle, facing escalating costs, declining coverage, and prolonged recovery periods following disasters. Strata Community Association Australasia (SCA) has expressed strong support for the Insurance Council of Australia's (ICA) recent call for coordinated, long-term resilience reforms to protect communities from these challenges. - read more
Strata insurance is a specialized type of insurance designed for properties that are divided into multiple units or lots, such as apartment buildings. It protects the entire building’s common property and the individual interests of the owners. This includes coverage for areas like hallways, gardens, and shared facilities. - read more
Strata insurance is a type of insurance designed specifically for properties that are managed under a strata title scheme. This typically includes multi-unit developments like apartments and townhouses. It covers common areas, such as gardens, hallways, and swimming pools, and provides protection for the owners' corporation against various liabilities and risks. - read more
Strata insurance is a type of cover designed specifically for properties that are subdivided into individual lots or units, which is common in residential and mixed-use developments. It protects the overall structure and shared areas of the property and is usually managed by a strata management body. This insurance is crucial not just for safeguarding the building itself but also for ensuring that common property, such as gardens, hallways, and balconies, is covered against a range of risks. - read more
Strata insurance is a specialized insurance policy designed to cover common property in apartment buildings, townhouses, and other strata-titled developments. This type of insurance is crucial for both property owners and strata schemes, as it provides peace of mind in the face of potential risks. - read more
Strata insurance is a specialized type of insurance designed to cover common properties and shared facilities in multi-unit developments, such as apartments and townhouses. This insurance provides protection for the building structure, common areas, and sometimes the individual units against various risks like fire, theft, and natural disasters. - read more
Knowledgebase
Public Liability Insurance: Insurance which provides protection against liability to third parties.
