The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today launched an advertisement campaign aimed at raising consumers’ awareness of their rights under the new Code of Practice that commenced in July.

ICA says it is the first time the industry has run a paid communications campaign on the code, demonstrating the sector’s commitment to openness and fair dealings.

The campaign will run on key social channels as well as on Sky News.

“The General Insurance Code of Practice sets the standards that insurers agree to meet when interacting with their customers and is insurers’ commitment to openness, fairness and honesty in their dealings with customers,” CEO Andrew Hall said.

“The new code contains many new and updated commitments which put customers at the centre of dealings with insurers.

“Insurers are committed to providing customers with information about their rights under the new code, which is why for the first time we are undertaking a campaign of this scope.

The new code includes sanctions for significant breaches of up to $100,000 in the form of community benefit payments, cost comparisons between new and previous policies on renewal notices, responsibility for quality of repair work undertaken on behalf of insurers, a streamlined complaints process and mandatory standards for claims investigators.

It also includes commitments to providing customers with useful information to navigate key aspects of the claims handling process, such as understanding a scope of works and a cash settlement for a home building policy.

Click here to view the ads.