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.
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Knowledgebase
Elimination Period: The time period between an injury and the receipt of benefit payments from an insurer, particularly in disability insurance.
