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Insurance News

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
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
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
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
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
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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Hospitality Insurance Articles

Stock, Contents and Equipment Insurance for Hospitality Businesses
Stock, Contents and Equipment Insurance for Hospitality Businesses
Stock, contents and equipment insurance can help hospitality businesses manage property risks such as fire, theft, water damage, spoilage and equipment damage. This guide explains what may be covered, how to estimate values and what exclusions to check. - read more
Commercial Vehicle Insurance for Hospitality Businesses
Commercial Vehicle Insurance for Hospitality Businesses
Hospitality businesses often rely on vehicles for deliveries, catering, events, mobile food service and stock transport. This guide explains when commercial vehicle insurance may be relevant, what risks to consider and what to check before choosing cover. - read more
Why Tailored Insurance is Essential for Your Hospitality Business
Why Tailored Insurance is Essential for Your Hospitality Business
In the bustling world of hospitality, the right insurance can make all the difference for your business. Tailored insurance, as the name suggests, involves customising your insurance policy to meet the specific needs and risks associated with your industry. This personalised approach ensures that you are not overpaying for unnecessary coverage while also safeguarding your business against potential threats. - read more
Essential Insurance Types Every Cafe Owner Should Consider
Essential Insurance Types Every Cafe Owner Should Consider
Running a cafe is more than just serving delightful coffee and snacks; it's about creating an experience and ensuring that experience is safeguarded. While the hospitality industry can be incredibly rewarding, it's not without its risks. This is where the importance of insurance comes into play, acting as a crucial safety net for cafe owners. - read more
What Hospitality Business Owners Need to Know About Income Protection Insurance
What Hospitality Business Owners Need to Know About Income Protection Insurance
The Australian hospitality industry is renowned for its vibrancy, yet it also faces significant challenges. With fluctuating demand, seasonal changes, and unpredictable external factors such as economic downturns and pandemics, hospitality businesses often operate in a high-risk environment. For hotel operators, the stakes are even higher due to substantial investments in property, staff, and customer service. - read more

Knowledgebase
Occupational Hazard:
A risk associated with the nature of a particular occupation, which may affect insurance premiums.