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:
Paige Estritori covers four Australian insurance stories for the week to Thursday, 13 August 2026: ASIC warns car insurers over poor premium transparency; severe weather pressures an insurers earnings and fuels claims inflation; the Life Code Compliance Committee targets claim payment delays and dispute handling; and Queensland funds security upgrades for small businesses. Listeners are urged to review cover, ask for clearer pricing, compare quotes, and leverage brokers.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori for Thursday, 13 August 2026.
First, car insurers are on notice. Australias corporate regulator, ASIC — thats the Australian Securities and Investments Commission — says premiums have risen faster than inflation and too many renewal notices fail to explain why. If your renewal jumps, ask your insurer to break down the drivers, check whether paying annually avoids instalment loadings, and compare at least two alternatives. You can line up free quotes quickly and get broker support to negotiate.
Next up, natural hazards have dented earnings at one of the countrys biggest insurers. The latest results point to severe weather and rising repair costs feeding claims inflation. For households and businesses, thats a reminder to review sums insured, flood and storm wording, and excesses — and to shop around so youre not overpaying for like‑for‑like cover.
Meanwhile, life insurance standards are tightening. The Life Code Compliance Committee has set priorities for this financial year, including tackling delays in income benefit payments and improving internal dispute resolution. If you hold life or income protection, expect clearer claim communications. If a claim stalls, a broker can help you chase timelines and keep paperwork on track so you can focus on recovery.
And for small business owners, some welcome crime‑prevention help. Queensland has awarded almost $2 million across 174 businesses for CCTV, lighting, alarms and access control. Even if you missed the grant round, modest security upgrades can reduce losses and may help your insurer view your risk more favourably. Ask your broker whether recent improvements should be reflected in your policy and quotes.
Thats the wrap. For fast, free personal and business insurance quotes, easy comparisons, and Australia‑wide independent broker support, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori — thanks for listening, and Ill see 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 fresh round of insurance industry warnings about climate exposure is a timely reminder for Australian truck operators that weather risk is no longer a background issue. Floods, bushfires, severe storms and prolonged road closures can affect far more than a single damaged vehicle. For owner-drivers and fleet managers, the larger concern is often the chain reaction: stranded equipment, missed delivery windows, cargo complications, depot damage and extended downtime while repair networks are under pressure. - read more
Fresh industry attention on insurance affordability is more than a household budget story. For Australian tradespeople, rising premiums, higher repair costs and uneven disaster exposure can flow directly into how clients fund work, how projects are scoped and how small trade businesses protect their own equipment, vehicles and liability risks. - read more
Recent complaints reporting from Australia's financial dispute resolution system has put a practical issue back in front of workers: the value of income insurance is not only in the monthly benefit promised, but in how clearly a policy works when a claim is made. - read more
Recent transport industry coverage has again put electronic work diaries in the spotlight, as more heavy vehicle operators look for practical ways to manage fatigue obligations without relying solely on paper records. For Australian trucking businesses, the shift is more than an administrative upgrade. It has direct implications for compliance evidence, driver management, incident investigation and the way insurers assess operational risk. - read more
The latest industry attention on Life Insurance Code compliance is another reminder that income protection insurance is not just about having a policy in place. For working Australians, the real test comes when illness or injury interrupts earnings and a claim needs to move from paperwork to practical financial support. - read more
Running a café is a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. With the hospitality industry being fast-paced and ever-changing, café owners often face unique financial challenges. Operating in an industry that is both physically demanding and unpredictable can sometimes lead to unforeseen circumstances that affect the stability and success of your business. - read more
Risk assessment is a fundamental process in evaluating potential exposure to financial losses and liabilities in the hospitality industry. It involves identifying, analyzing, and evaluating risks that could impact hotel operations. By understanding these risks, hotel operators can tailor their insurance policies to provide comprehensive coverage and mitigate potential payouts. - read more
Running a hotel is a complex operation that involves many moving parts. From welcoming guests to maintaining the property, there's a lot to manage. One critical aspect that often flies under the radar is hotel insurance. This form of insurance plays a crucial role in safeguarding your business from unforeseen events that could disrupt operations or impact your financial health. Whether it's damage from natural disasters or unexpected liabilities, insurance is your safety net. - read more
The hospitality industry in Australia is a dynamic and ever-evolving sector, characterised by a diverse range of services and offerings. Hotels operate in a vibrant environment, catering to both local and international guests while constantly adapting to seasonal changes, economic shifts, and emerging trends. This dynamic nature introduces a variety of unique risks that need to be managed effectively. - read more
Business interruption insurance is a policy that covers the loss of income a business suffers after a disaster. While property insurance covers the physical damage to a business, business interruption insurance covers the profits that are lost. It ensures that a company's revenue stream can continue even if its operations are halted due to unexpected events. - read more
Knowledgebase
Moral Hazard: The concept that individuals may take on more risk when they do not bear the full consequences of that risk, often relevant in insurance scenarios.
