Welcome to the Insurance Online News podcast with your host, Paige Estritori, where we deliver the latest and most significant news from the world of insurance in Australia. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to bring you the freshest updates, focusing on the stories that matter the most to both Australian businesses and individual consumers over the past week.
Through meticulous research, we transform these developments into original content that not only keeps you informed but also offers deep insights into the insurance landscape as it stands today. Our podcast distills these crucial updates into a format that's both succinct and captivating. For professionals within the insurance realm or personal consumers keen on keeping up with insurance trends, look no further. Paige Estritori brings you all the essential information daily, making our podcast the ultimate destination for trustworthy and impactful insurance news.
This Week:
This week: SME cyber insurance premiums are easing and policies are simpler, but uptake remains low. The ACCC pushed its decision on IAGs proposed RAC Insurance takeover to 1 February with remedies on access and pricing in WA. ARPCs annual report shows two terrorism declarations and a busy cyclone season, reinforcing the need to review cover ahead of summer. A life insurance review urges earlier information requests to speed up income protection and TPD claims. Listeners are invited to compare policies and seek broker help at insuranceonline.com.au.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Thursday, 5 November 2026.
First up, cyber insurance for small and medium‑sized enterprises, or SMEs, is getting cheaper and easier to buy. Industry leaders told a federal parliamentary inquiry that premiums have fallen for two straight quarters and insurers are simplifying question sets and baking prevention tools into policies. Yet take‑up among smaller businesses remains low, roughly one in five. If you run a business, consider getting quotes now and ask about built‑in support like incident response and staff training.
Meanwhile, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the ACCC, has extended its review of IAGs proposed takeover of RAC Insurance. A decision is now due by 1 February, after IAG offered remedies including selling certain renewal rights in Western Australia and funding resilience initiatives, plus commitments on access and pricing in the states north. For WA households and businesses, keep an eye on changes next year, but you can still compare cover today to make sure your policy fits your risk and budget.
Next, the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, or ARPC, says last financial year brought two terrorism declarations and the cyclone pools busiest season with nine events. The pools have now paid more than a billion dollars in claims since 2022, supporting availability and affordability where private markets struggle. With a hot summer forecast, its a good moment to check your home and business policies for cyclone and flood settings, excesses, and any mitigation discounts you might qualify for.
And in life insurance, a new review found delays often occur because insurers ask for key information too late on longer‑running income protection and total and permanent disability claims. The industry body behind the Life Insurance Code says insurers are revising letters, coordinating requests earlier and increasing oversight. When you compare life or income protection, ask how claims are supported and communicated, so you know what to expect if you ever need to claim.
Thats it for this week. For quick, free quotes and help from independent brokers nationwide, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening, and talk to you next week.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
Follow us!
We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, resources and information.
A federal parliamentary inquiry examining small business insurance has pushed its final report from 27 October 2026 to 26 February 2027, extending the wait for recommendations on affordability, availability and regulation. For Australian businesses that rely on public liability insurance, the delay matters because the inquiry is looking directly at whether modern cover is meeting the needs of small firms, not-for-profits and community organisations. - read more
Fresh liability market analysis from KPMG has added an important caution for Australian small businesses: even where parts of the commercial insurance market are becoming more competitive, public liability insurance remains shaped by claims that can take time to settle, develop and fully cost. The firm's 20 October 2026 report draws mainly on APRAs National Claims and Policies Database experience to December 2024 and points to a market entering a more nuanced phase. - read more
Fresh industry attention on APRA's general insurance performance data points to a healthier overall insurance sector, with stronger premium revenue, improved investment conditions and more stable underwriting outcomes across parts of the market. For small business owners, that may sound like welcome news after several years of rising premiums and tighter insurer scrutiny. - read more
Fresh scrutiny of general insurance claims handling has again put the spotlight on how policies perform when customers need them most. While much of the public discussion often centres on household claims, the same service and documentation issues can become critical for small businesses facing a third-party injury or property damage allegation. - read more
New South Wales’ move to shift emergency services funding away from insurance premiums has put business insurance affordability back in the spotlight. For small business owners, tradies, hospitality operators and event organisers, the change is welcome in principle: levies and taxes can add noticeably to the total cost of holding cover, especially when several policies are bundled together. - read more
For any Australian business, the unforeseeable mishaps that can occur daily pose potential risks not only to operational continuity but also to financial stability. At the core of a strategic risk management plan lies the essential protective layer of public liability insurance, a shield safeguarding businesses from the legal and financial repercussions of accidents and injuries that may happen on their premises, or as a result of their operations. - read more
Running a small business in Australia comes with its own set of unique challenges. From managing cash flow to dealing with unexpected setbacks, the road to success can often be bumpy. Many small business owners find themselves constantly adapting to changing market conditions, customer demands, and economic pressures. - read more
Public liability insurance serves as a critical safety net for event organizers, often seen as a robust shield safeguarding against potential financial repercussions arising from unforeseen incidents. In the dynamic atmosphere of events, where a multitude of variables come into play, this insurance plays a fundamental role in ensuring the stability and continuance of the host's operations. - read more
Choosing a public liability insurance cover limit is not just a pricing decision. Australian businesses often compare $5 million, $10 million and $20 million limits, but the right amount depends on contracts, site access rules, permits, business activities, claim exposure and insurer criteria. - read more
Public liability insurance is designed to protect businesses against claims made by the public for injuries or damages that occur in connection with the business operations. It covers legal fees, medical expenses, and compensation costs that may arise if a customer or a member of the public is injured or property is damaged as a result of the business activities. - read more
Knowledgebase
Umbrella Policy: An additional insurance policy that provides extra liability coverage beyond the limits of the insured's primary policies.
