Asia poses problems as well as opportunities
02 December 2013
The insurance industry thinks of Asia as the next frontier for growth, with demand rising. But the picture isn’t as glowing as it may seem…
Analysis
Big Data, sluggish response
25 November 2013
Over the past few years major companies around the world have been exploring the opportunities presented by so-called Big Data. Collecting as much publicly available information as possible…
The race to keep pace with emerging markets
18 November 2013
Countries with low insurance penetration are forecast to post the fastest economic growth globally in the next few decades, and the challenge for the insurance industry will be to develop products and risk management that meets their needs…
Reinsurance capital: old habits die hard
11 November 2013
The influx of alternative capital has become a focal point for the reinsurance industry – and that’s no surprise given its potential impact…
North Queensland strata cover: signs of hope?
04 November 2013
The cost of insuring strata properties in northern Queensland has started to fall after huge rises in 2011 and last year, but cover is still expensive and hard to obtain…
‘Fair and reasonable’ is hard to make consistent
28 October 2013
When the Financial Ombudsman Service was established in 1991 as the Claims Review Panel, the issue of what exactly “fair and reasonable in the circumstances” meant raised considerable angst…
The year of the buyer
21 October 2013
This year may be a good one for insurance buyers as increasing competition and capital keep a lid on commercial premiums, according to an Aon Australia report…
Steadfast or Austbrokers? A rough guide
14 October 2013
An interesting feature of the National Insurance Brokers Association Convention in Melbourne this week is the presence of three broking groups in the exhibition hall, each there for the sole purpose…
D&O: diligence optional?
07 October 2013
Directors’ and officers’ cover gives company executives and board members crucial protection – but might it also encourage reckless behaviour and hinder efforts to improve workplace safety…
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
30 September 2013
Rising premiums and fewer catastrophes helped Australian general insurance industry earnings grow 61% last financial year – but rising profits have also lured new market entrants and again…
CROs – the chiefs of grief
23 September 2013
Occasionally, a regulator makes a proposal that manages to unite an entire sector of the financial services industry in opposition…
A capital time at Reinsurance Rendezvous
16 September 2013
The huge influx of third-party capital has been a recurring theme at this year’s Reinsurance Rendezvous in Monte Carlo…
New investors take the alternative route
09 September 2013
Premiums should be rising sharply after all the natural disasters in recent years…
Slow and steady wins the race to China
02 September 2013
Companies should think 30 years ahead rather than three when it comes to expanding in such a complex and rapidly developing market as China, according to Zurich Asia-Pacific Regional Chairman…
Rate gains will slow after increases boost profits
26 August 2013
Premium rate increases boosted profits for general insurers in the last financial year, but the pace of gains is already slowing after a relatively benign period for natural catastrophes…
Commercial insurance: channelling the future
19 August 2013
Insurance customers in the digital age are firmly in the driving seat, according to Suncorp’s latest Insurance Insights paper…
Is low-income insurance really too hard to bother?
12 August 2013
Insurers dissecting the recently released review of the General Insurance Code of Practice will hopefully pause to consider independent reviewer Ian Enright’s views on accessibility and affordability…
Code review: too far, too fast?
05 August 2013
The 2012/13 General Insurance Code of Practice Review released on Friday is, for insurers at least, good in some parts and bitterly unpalatable in others…
Cyber attacks: time to accept the virtual reality
29 July 2013
Changes to the Privacy Act that will force businesses to disclose privacy breaches look set to increase understanding of the risks posed by cyber attacks…
Great Southern ruling lets directors sleep easier
22 July 2013
Company directors and executives – and their insurers and brokers – can have more confidence that directors’ and officers’ policies will fund legal costs as intended, following the NSW Court…