Crackdown on imports as asbestos concerns deepen
25 July 2016
Customs officials are investigating building materials imported by Chinese company Yuanda for possible asbestos contamination, amid growing concerns over the use of illegal products…
Local
East coast storm insured losses hit $377 million
25 July 2016
Estimated losses from the east coast low that hit Queensland, NSW and Tasmania last month now stand at $377 million…
Union deal ‘will hit bushfire preparations’
25 July 2016
A controversial agreement due to be imposed on Victoria’s Country Fire Authority will have a significant detrimental impact on bushfire preparedness, an inquiry has heard…
Crackdown demanded as fresh asbestos scare erupts
18 July 2016
The Building Products Innovation Council wants tougher regulations to stop the use of illegal construction materials, after it emerged roof panels on a new Perth children’s hospital contain asbestos imported from China…
Turkey coup attempt puts spotlight on travel cover
18 July 2016
Travel insurers do not usually cover losses caused by army coups, the Insurance Council of Australia says…
Lloyd’s consortium takes livestock cover to new level
18 July 2016
A new Lloyd’s consortium will offer cover of up to $US30 million per location for livestock risks, with Australia expected to be a key market…
ICA offers expertise to flood-hit Huon Valley
18 July 2016
The Insurance Council of Australia has offered to make disaster experts available to advise Tasmania’s Huon Valley Council on flood protection…
Region’s insurers face Q3 volatility: S&P
18 July 2016
Key risks for Asia-Pacific insurers include China’s economic slowdown, low interest rates and potential catastrophe risks in emerging markets, according to Standard & Poor’s…
ICNZ defends industry response to meth labs
18 July 2016
The Insurance Council of New Zealand is assessing issues around damage to homes used as methamphetamine laboratories…
Industry must find secrets of youth: Neal
18 July 2016
A company’s ability to stay relevant depends on seeing things through the eyes of its customers, many of whom are now Millenials, according to QBE CEO John Neal…
NZ sea level rise ‘won’t hit premiums yet’
18 July 2016
Rising sea levels will have minimal impact on insurance premiums in the short term, according to the Insurance Council of New Zealand…
Suncorp welcomes farm accident ruling
18 July 2016
Suncorp has welcomed the Tasmanian Supreme Court’s decision to award almost $12 million compensation to a British backpacker who was left a quadriplegic after a farm accident…
Coalition win reignites broker battle on reforms
11 July 2016
The return of the Coalition Government after the double-dissolution election will restart a lobbying campaign to ensure a range of proposed financial reforms do not adversely affect brokers…
Queensland bushfire risk rises after El Nino
11 July 2016
Queensland’s northern coastline faces an above-normal fire risk this year after one of the strongest El Nino events on record led to patchy wet-season rainfall…
Flood-hit Picton residents find answers at forum
11 July 2016
An Insurance Council of Australia forum in Picton last week was attended by around 20 claimants hit by flood and storm damage during last month’s east coast low storms…
Lambie puts insurers on notice after Tasmania floods
11 July 2016
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie says she will push for a parliamentary inquiry if evidence emerges of insurance companies treating policyholders unfairly following devastating floods in the state’s north last month…
Court ruling raises funeral insurance fears
11 July 2016
Consumer groups have warned that a Federal Court ruling may allow funeral insurance companies to exploit indigenous communities…
Premium growth slows amid tough outlook
04 July 2016
Insurance premium growth in Australia slowed to 0.5% last year from 1.3% in 2014, and the outlook for this year remains tough, according to Swiss Re…
Aon flags ‘marginal correction’ in premiums
04 July 2016
Increased competition, abundant capacity and premium rates falling to levels not seen since before the global financial crisis are among issues facing Australian insurers this year, according to Aon…
Insurers seek tech partners to keep pace with change
04 July 2016
Australian insurers plan to partner with technology start-ups to benefit from rapid change, a report from consulting group Accenture says…