The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) has requested insurers give “greater consideration” to providing cover for clients with good claims experience as the hard market continues.

The call was included in NIBA’s submission to the Insurance Council of Australia’s review of affordability and availability of cover for SMEs, being carried out by former insurance executive and regulator John Trowbridge and economist Michael Blythe.

ICA says submissions to a discussion paper released in May will not be made public, and NIBA declined to release its submission to insuranceNEWS.com.au.

However, a short summary of the submission was included in NIBA’s latest Insurance Adviser magazine.

“The NIBA submission acknowledged the role of underwriters to correctly assess the nature of risks being submitted for their consideration, but also suggested underwriters give greater consideration to providing cover for clients with good claims experience,” the summary said.

“NIBA also suggested the importance of insurance brokers being able to communicate with underwriters to discuss the client’s circumstances and their commitment to risk management and the avoidance of claims.”

NIBA CEO Dallas Booth told insuranceNEWS.com.au that brokers understand insurers need to make underwriting adjustments in the current environment, but that businesses with good claims history should have access to reasonable cover.

“A lot of brokers have been mentioning to us that they have been having difficulties getting cover for clients with good claims history,” he said.

He says most risks are submitted via digital portals but that it’s important for a broker to be able to speak to an underwriter “if computer says no”.

“COVID has made things difficult for everyone, and this is not a criticism of underwriters or insurers. But we think it is important that brokers have the opportunity to speak to underwriters where required.

“We want to work constructively with ICA to try and make sure the insurance industry is providing the best possible service to businesses.”

ICA says comments on the discussion paper are currently being reviewed and a paper on next steps is being prepared for the ICA board.