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Insurers urged to embrace communities

21 August 2007

Insurers must evolve beyond being cash machines for claim cheques to become community citizens, according to Zurich Australia CEO David Smith…

Industry on profit track: S&P

21 August 2007

Insurance industry profits remain bullish but weather-related losses, staff shortages and falling premiums loom as show stoppers, according to global ratings agency Standard & Poor’s…

NSW begins tax review

21 August 2007

The entity charged with reviewing all NSW taxes says the controversial fire services levy on insurance policies will be considered…

NZ looks at warranty scheme

21 August 2007

New Zealand house builders have cast doubt on a Government proposal to make them take out builders’ warranty insurance…

IBANZ elects new board

21 August 2007

The Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand has a new board of directors following its AGM in Wellington on Sunday…

Commercial premiums continue slide

14 August 2007

Insurance premiums are almost certain to continue their four-year slide into the near future, with analysts predicting more pain for insurers in the fiercely competitive domestic market…

CGU under pressure on flood claims

14 August 2007

IAG subsidiary CGU Insurance has copped a media broadside for rejecting claims in Victoria’s flood-ravaged Gippsland region…

Average cyclone season tipped

14 August 2007

Average sea temperatures are leading scientists to predict the 2007/08 Australian cyclone season will be on a par with last year…

Bank on India’s growth: Truss

14 August 2007

Rampant growth in the Indian economy is spawning opportunities for Australia’s financial services sector, Trade Minister Warren Truss says…

Critics slam NZ emergency levy

14 August 2007

The NZ Government is under mounting pressure to modify or dump plans to radically overhaul fire services and how they are funded, according to the Insurance Council of New Zealand…

Merger talk scuttled

14 August 2007

Is the Insurance Council of Australia planning a merger with its New Zealand counterpart..?

Premium cuts cause concern…

07 August 2007

The so-called premium wars in the Australian market may be causing instability, according to the local offshoot of one of the world’s most diversified global players…

… but APRA says insurers are solid

07 August 2007

The financial strain of Cyclone Larry has yet to be felt by insurers, with industry profits up and claims stable in the latest snapshot by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority…

No exemptions for foreign insurers, yet

07 August 2007

Insurers, brokers and businesses have been given their first glimpse of how new rules regulating direct offshore foreign insurers will operate from next year…

Storm vehicles receive duty refund

07 August 2007

Government rebates on storm-damaged vehicles in the Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions have been eagerly embraced by motorists…

Aon and QBE top awards list

07 August 2007

Aon Australia has been named Broker of the Year for the third successive year at the Australian and New Zealand insurance industry awards in Sydney…

Show me the money: employees

07 August 2007

The gulf between what employees want and what employers are willing to give them is widening, according to specialist recruiter Hays…

New leader, same fire taxes mindset

31 July 2007

Don’t expect new Victorian Premier John Brumby to be making moves to dismantle his state’s web of insurance taxes – he’s been one of their strongest proponents…