The co-insurance pool trading as Community Care Underwriting Agency (CCUA) is unlikely to keep trading after December next year.

Although the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted authorisation for a transition period until next year, the regulator doesn’t see any point keeping the group running when the public liability crisis is over.

The group – established by Allianz Australia, QBE Insurance and NRMA Insurance to provide not-for-profit organisations (NFPO) with public liability cover – says it is considering alternative arrangements for beyond the transition period. But it won’t be protesting against the ACCC decision.

Existing policies can be renewed and new policies can be written until the end of this year, but the expiration date will be December next year.

ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel says market conditions have changed since the pool arrangements were initially authorised in March 2004. “There are now many more insurers offering public liability insurance to NFPOs, and premiums are more affordable.”

He says the softening of the market means groups previously needing the CCUA’s services should now be able to source public liability cover themselves.