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Insurance News from Professional Indemnity Australia

Professional Indemnity Australia is pleased to present the latest financial news headlines.

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Insurance News

AFCA Upholds Insurer's Premium Increase Amid Consumer Complaint
AFCA Upholds Insurer's Premium Increase Amid Consumer Complaint
01 Sep 2025: Paige Estritori
A recent decision by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has ruled against a homeowner seeking an $18,000 refund from Allianz. The homeowner claimed that the insurer failed to adequately inform her about substantial increases in her optional flood cover premiums. Initially, her monthly payments surged from $369 to $1277 in August 2022, a change she only noticed in March of the following year through her bank statements. - read more
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
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