| AFCA Observes Significant Increase in General Insurance Complaints Sun, 01 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has reported a 17% increase in general insurance complaints for the year ending June 30, 2025, totalling 34,231 cases. This uptick is primarily attributed to issues surrounding add-on covers and delays in motor vehicle insurance claims. - read more
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| APRA's Findings: Stability in PI Claims and Decreasing Premiums Sun, 01 Feb: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its latest National Claims and Policies Database, providing valuable insights into the professional indemnity (PI) insurance sector for the 2022 underwriting year. The data indicates that PI claims payments for non-facility business remained relatively stable at $1.111 billion, a slight increase from $1.109 billion in the previous year. - read more
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| Upcover's New Insurance Solutions for Australian Nurses Sun, 01 Feb: Sydney-based insurtech company Upcover has unveiled a new professional indemnity and public liability insurance product tailored specifically for nurses across Australia. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive coverage that meets the unique needs of nursing professionals, including nurse practitioners, in-patient nurses, doulas, and nursing students. - read more
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| Rising Strata Insurance Costs in the Northern Territory Sun, 01 Feb: Homeowners in the Northern Territory are experiencing significant increases in strata insurance premiums, despite the federal government's cyclone reinsurance pool, established in 2022 to mitigate such costs. This development raises concerns about the effectiveness of the pool and the broader implications for property owners in cyclone-prone regions. - read more
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| Insurance Capacity Constraints Impacting High-End Strata Properties Sun, 01 Feb: High-end strata properties in Australia are facing significant challenges in securing adequate insurance coverage, as the market grapples with capacity constraints. This issue is particularly pronounced for buildings with property values exceeding $300 million, where limited insurer participation is leading to coverage shortfalls and increased premiums. - read more
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| Strata Industry Advances Towards Phasing Out Insurance Commissions Sun, 01 Feb: The strata management sector in Australia is witnessing a significant shift towards eliminating insurance commissions, a move aimed at enhancing transparency and building trust between strata managers and property owners. This reform is gaining traction, with New South Wales leading the initiative. - read more
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| Australian Insurance Market Anticipates Slower Premium Growth in 2025 Sat, 31 Jan: In recent years, Australia's insurance sector has experienced substantial premium hikes, largely attributed to inflationary pressures and the financial repercussions of natural disasters. However, industry analysts now predict a slowdown in premium growth for 2025, indicating a potential shift in the market dynamics. - read more
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| Australian Insurance Industry Faces Challenges in Cybersecurity Readiness Sat, 31 Jan: The Australian insurance sector is currently grappling with significant challenges in cybersecurity preparedness, as highlighted by the latest PwC Insurance Banana Skins Survey. This comprehensive study, which gathered insights from 698 insurance executives across 42 territories, including 37 from Australia, underscores a concerning lag in the industry's readiness to tackle emerging digital threats. - read more
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| Australian Insurance Leaders and Regulators Convene to Streamline Regulations Sat, 31 Jan: In a concerted effort to enhance regulatory efficiency within the general insurance sector, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) recently hosted a pivotal roundtable in Sydney. This gathering brought together senior executives from the insurance industry alongside representatives from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). - read more
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| IAG CEO Predicts Ongoing Insurance Premium Rises Sat, 31 Jan: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has reported a significant 91% increase in net profit for the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year, reaching $778 million. Despite this profit surge, IAG's CEO, Nick Hawkins, has indicated that insurance premiums are expected to continue rising, though at a more moderate pace compared to previous years. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-14/iag-ceo-nick-hawkins-warns-of-further-premium-increases/104931074?utm_source=openai)) - read more
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| Rising Insurance Costs Challenge Australian Hospitality Sector Sat, 31 Jan: The Australian hospitality industry is currently facing significant challenges due to escalating insurance premiums. Business owners report substantial increases in their insurance costs, which are becoming one of the largest expenses alongside wages, rent, and the rising cost of goods. ([au.finance.yahoo.com](https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/aussie-hotel-owner-reveals-insane-48000-cost-behind-alarming-small-businesses-trend-040048130.html?utm_source=openai)) - read more
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| ACT Businesses Confront Higher Insurance Premiums Compared to NSW Sat, 31 Jan: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly has initiated an inquiry into the rising costs of insurance premiums within the territory, particularly focusing on the hospitality sector. Recent data indicates that businesses in the ACT are paying significantly higher insurance premiums compared to their counterparts in New South Wales (NSW). ([region.com.au](https://region.com.au/why-are-act-business-insurance-costs-much-higher-than-in-nsw-inquiry-to-seek-answers/841410/?utm_source=openai)) - read more
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| Australian Business Lending Sees Significant Growth in June 2025 Fri, 30 Jan: In June 2025, Australian business lending experienced a notable increase, with loans to non-financial businesses reaching $1.14 trillion, marking a 9.2% year-on-year growth. This expansion significantly outpaced the 5.6% growth observed in housing loans, which totaled $2.34 trillion during the same period. The data, released by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), highlights a renewed appetite for corporate borrowing and investment. - read more
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| Japanese Banks SMBC and MUFG Propel Growth in Australian Business Lending Fri, 30 Jan: In July 2025, Australia's top 10 authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs) reported a combined business loan book of $925 billion. Notably, Japanese banking giants Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) emerged as significant contributors to this growth, outpacing traditional Australian lenders in percentage growth rates. - read more
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| AFCA Issues Warning to SMEs on Unregulated Lenders Fri, 30 Jan: In November 2025, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) issued a cautionary statement to small businesses regarding the risks associated with engaging unregulated lenders. This warning comes in response to a notable increase in complaints that AFCA cannot address due to the lenders' non-membership status. - read more
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| Multiple Caravan Manufacturers Collapse in Australia Fri, 30 Jan: The Australian caravan industry is experiencing a period of significant upheaval, with several manufacturers collapsing in recent years. The most recent and notable among these is the luxury caravan manufacturer Zone RV, which entered voluntary administration in December 2025, leaving creditors owed approximately $40 million. - read more
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| Zone RV Director Under Investigation for Fraud Fri, 30 Jan: In the wake of luxury caravan manufacturer Zone RV's collapse, authorities have launched an investigation into fraud allegations against the company's director, David Biggar. The Sunshine Coast-based company entered voluntary administration in December 2025, owing creditors approximately $42 million. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Under Fire for Steep Premium Increases Fri, 30 Jan: In recent times, Australian insurance companies have come under intense scrutiny due to substantial increases in premiums, even as they report record profits. This trend has raised concerns among consumers and policymakers alike, prompting calls for enhanced transparency and competition within the industry. - read more
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| Rising Insurance Costs in Northern Australia Despite Reinsurance Efforts Fri, 30 Jan: Homeowners in Northern Australia are confronting significant increases in insurance premiums, even after the implementation of the federal government's cyclone reinsurance pool aimed at reducing costs in cyclone-prone regions. This development raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures and the ongoing challenges in making insurance affordable for residents in high-risk areas. - read more
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| Lack of Transparency in Insurance Premium Increases Concerns Consumers Fri, 30 Jan: Australian consumers are increasingly facing substantial hikes in their insurance premiums, often with little to no explanation from their providers. This lack of transparency has led to growing frustration and calls for greater accountability within the insurance industry. - read more
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| AIA Australia's New Partnerships to Encourage Cycling Among Members Fri, 30 Jan: AIA Australia, a prominent life, health, and wellbeing insurer, has announced strategic partnerships with global fitness company Peloton and premium cycling brand Specialized. These collaborations aim to motivate AIA Vitality members to adopt more active lifestyles by providing significant discounts on cycling equipment. - read more
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| Australian Mortgage Market Hits Record $2.41 Trillion Thu, 29 Jan: The Australian mortgage market has reached a new milestone, with the total value of residential mortgages climbing to $2.41 trillion in November 2025. This growth is largely attributed to escalating property prices and a surge in lending activity. - read more
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| Housing Expenses Lead Australians' Financial Worries in 2026 Thu, 29 Jan: As Australians step into 2026, housing costs have emerged as the foremost financial concern, overshadowing other cost-of-living pressures. The latest Canstar Consumer Pulse Report reveals that 22% of respondents identified mortgage and rent expenses as their primary financial stressor, more than doubling the figure from five years ago. - read more
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| NAB Raises Fixed Mortgage Rates in Response to Expected Cash Rate Hikes Thu, 29 Jan: National Australia Bank (NAB) has recently increased its fixed mortgage rates by up to 0.40 percentage points, signaling expectations of forthcoming cash rate hikes in 2026. This move aligns with actions taken by other major lenders, reflecting a broader anticipation of rising interest rates. - read more
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| New Initiative Makes Electric Vehicles More Affordable for Essential Workers Thu, 29 Jan: In a significant move towards promoting sustainable transportation, essential workers and individuals earning below $100,000 annually in Australia now have access to more affordable electric vehicle (EV) loans. This initiative is part of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation's (CEFC) collaboration with CommBank's EV Access Program, which has allocated $150 million to support discounted loan rates for new and used EVs priced up to $55,000, as well as EV home charging equipment. - read more
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