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:
Premiums keep rising as extreme weather squeezes insurer profits. AFCA says it will never use AI to decide disputes and is preparing a hail claims guide, while insurers add AI exclusions to liability policies. Suncorp buys a five‑year aggregate reinsurance cover to bolster resilience against natural hazards. NSWs SIRA opens consultation on workers compensation regulations until 15 May. Listeners are encouraged to compare policies, review AI-related exposures, keep property and business cover current, and check workers comp settings. Visit insuranceonline.com.au for free quotes and broker support.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori, its 30 April 2026.
First, premiums are still climbing even as insurer profits are squeezed by last years extreme weather. For households and small businesses, that means costs may stay higher for longer. The smart move is to compare cover and excesses side by side and check sums insured so youre not paying for gaps you didnt expect.
Next up, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, says it will never use artificial intelligence to decide disputes, and its preparing a practical guide to tidy up hail claims. At the same time, underwriters are adding AI exclusions to many liability policies as businesses roll out new tools. If your team uses AI for customer decisions or content, ask a broker to review your public liability, professional indemnity and cyber wording so you know whats in and whats out.
Meanwhile, Suncorp has bought a five‑year aggregate reinsurance cover starting 30 June. Its designed to cushion the hit from multiple natural hazard events and smooth earnings volatility. It wont dictate retail pricing on its own, but it signals insurers are rebuilding resilience. For customers, its a reminder to keep property and business interruption cover current as weather risks evolve.
And for NSW employers, the State Insurance Regulatory Authority, or SIRA, is consulting on workers compensation regulations through 15 May. Proposed changes span premium directives, claims forms and decision notices. If you have staff in New South Wales, nows a good time to check your workers comp arrangements and return‑to‑work supports so youre ready when rules are finalised.
Thats it for this week. For free, fast quotes across personal and business insurance, and to connect with independent brokers who can help you compare policies with confidence, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori, thanks for listening.
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.
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Knowledgebase
Underwriting: The process by which an insurer determines the risk of insuring a client and decides the terms of coverage.
