| Europ Assistance Australia Now Underwriting Its Own Travel Insurance Policies Thu, 07 May: In a significant development for the Australian travel insurance sector, Europ Assistance Australia (EAA) has been granted a general insurance licence by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). This authorisation enables EAA to underwrite its own travel insurance products, marking a pivotal step in its commitment to the Australian market. - read more
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| ATIA Pushes for Permanent Travel Insurance Sales Rights for Agents Thu, 07 May: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is intensifying its efforts to secure a permanent authorisation for travel agents, tour operators, and accredited travel businesses to sell travel insurance at the time of booking. This initiative follows an exemption granted in 2021, which is set to expire in October 2026. - read more
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| Nib Divests World Nomads International Travel Insurance to Focus on Core Health Services Thu, 07 May: In a strategic move to concentrate on its core health insurance operations, Nib Holdings has entered into a binding agreement to sell its World Nomads international travel insurance business to International Medical Group (IMG) for a cash consideration of $67.5 million. This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions, with the majority of proceeds expected within the current calendar year. - read more
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| ACCC Halts IAG's Proposed Acquisition of RAC Insurance Thu, 07 May: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has intervened to block Insurance Australia Group's (IAG) proposed $1.35 billion acquisition of RAC Insurance, citing significant concerns over reduced competition in Western Australia's insurance sector. This decision underscores the regulator's commitment to maintaining a competitive market landscape, particularly in essential household insurance lines. - read more
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| Middle East Conflict Drives Up Costs for Australian Insurers Thu, 07 May: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is exerting significant pressure on Australian insurers, leading to increased costs across various lines of business. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has reported that rising fuel prices are disrupting supply chains, escalating the cost of materials, and delaying labour availability for repairs to homes and vehicles. - read more
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| Unprecedented Spike in Mental Health Claims Puts Pressure on Super Funds Thu, 07 May: Australian superannuation funds are grappling with an unprecedented surge in mental health-related insurance claims, leading to calls for expedited payouts and enhanced support for affected individuals. Recent data reveals that mental health conditions have become the leading cause of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims, with insurers paying out over $2.2 billion for retail mental health claims in 2024. - read more
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| Key Challenges Facing Australian Insurers in 2026 Thu, 07 May: As Australian insurers navigate the complexities of 2026, three primary challenges have emerged at the forefront: premium affordability and insurability, cyber and data security risks, and workforce attraction and retention. These insights stem from industry feedback highlighted in Gallagher Bassett's forthcoming report, 'The Carrier Perspective: 2026 Claims Insights'. - read more
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| ACCC Scrutinises IAG's Proposed Acquisition of RAC Insurance Thu, 07 May: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced a detailed Phase 2 review of Insurance Australia Group's (IAG) proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance. This move follows concerns that the merger could substantially lessen competition in Western Australia's insurance market, particularly in motor vehicle and home and contents insurance sectors. - read more
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| ASIC's Actions Following Shield Collapse Transform Insurance Compliance Thu, 07 May: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has outlined a series of enforcement and surveillance measures in response to the collapse of Shield and First Guardian. These actions are set to significantly reshape the compliance and governance landscape for insurers, particularly in their roles as underwriters, superannuation partners, institutional investors, and Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees. - read more
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| APRA Enforces Additional Capital Requirement on Sovereign Insurance Australia Thu, 07 May: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has recently imposed an additional $2 million capital requirement on Sovereign Insurance Australia Pty Ltd (SIA). This decision stems from identified weaknesses in SIA's risk management framework and operational risk management practices. - read more
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| R&CA Highlights Rising Costs as Primary Factor in Restaurant Closures Thu, 07 May: Recent data reveals that cafés, restaurants, and takeaway businesses in Australia are experiencing the highest failure rates across all industries, with a 10.4% closure rate over the past year. This alarming trend has prompted Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) to investigate the underlying causes. - read more
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| EML Group's Strategic Acquisition of Guild Insurance to Drive Growth and Innovation Thu, 07 May: In a significant move within the Australian insurance sector, EML Group has acquired a majority stake in Guild Insurance. This strategic partnership is designed to unlock growth opportunities and accelerate the development of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) within the insurance industry. - read more
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| CHU Introduces Cyber Protection in Strata Insurance Policies Thu, 07 May: In a significant move to bolster the resilience of strata communities against cyber threats, CHU Underwriting Agencies has integrated cyber protection into its standard residential strata insurance policies. This enhancement provides coverage of up to $50,000 for losses resulting from social engineering fraud, a form of cybercrime where perpetrators impersonate trusted contacts to manipulate payment instructions. - read more
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| CHU Unveils Indicative Pricing Tool to Streamline Broker Services Thu, 07 May: CHU Underwriting Agencies has introduced an indicative pricing feature designed to provide brokers with immediate, non-binding premium estimates. This innovation aims to improve pricing visibility and reduce delays in the quoting process, enabling brokers to deliver better outcomes for their clients. - read more
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| CHU's 2025 Report Reveals Stability in Strata Insurance Premiums Thu, 07 May: CHU Underwriting Agencies has released its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the industry. The report indicates that strata insurance premiums have experienced a modest increase of 2.8%, rising from an average of $954 to $981 per lot annually in the year leading up to June 2025. This increment is notably lower than the 14% surge observed in house insurance premiums during the same period, maintaining affordability for apartment owners. - read more
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| Australian Government Extends Electric Car Discount Program Thu, 07 May: The Australian government has announced the extension of its Electric Car Discount (ECD) program, a key initiative aimed at promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the nation. Originally introduced in 2022, the ECD offers tax rebates to employees who lease electric cars through salary sacrificing arrangements. This extension underscores the government's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainable transportation options. - read more
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| South Australia Maintains Registration Exemptions for Electric Vehicles Thu, 07 May: The South Australian government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption by continuing its 3-year registration exemption for new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This incentive applies to eligible vehicles valued below $68,750 and first registered between 28 October 2021 and 30 June 2025. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on EV owners and encourage the transition to cleaner transportation options. - read more
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| Bank Australia Introduces Competitive Loans for Electric Vehicles Thu, 07 May: Bank Australia has launched a new Electric Vehicle Loan designed to make the purchase of new and used electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to consumers. This initiative offers a fixed interest rate of 6.29% per annum, effective from 1 April 2026, with a comparison rate of 6.29% per annum. The loan is tailored to reward environmentally conscious consumers by providing a lower interest rate and eliminating fees associated with the loan. - read more
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| Government Plans to Phase Out EV Tax Discount by 2029 Thu, 07 May: The Australian government has unveiled plans to gradually phase out the popular tax discount for electric vehicles (EVs), a move projected to save the federal budget $1.7 billion over the next four years. This decision comes in response to the scheme's escalating costs, which have significantly exceeded initial forecasts. - read more
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| Jaecoo J5 EV Achieves Milestone with Over 4,000 Orders in Australia Thu, 07 May: The Jaecoo J5 electric SUV has reached a significant milestone in the Australian market, surpassing 4,000 orders. This achievement underscores the growing appetite for affordable electric vehicles (EVs) among Australian consumers. - read more
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| KGM Launches Musso EV: Australia's Newest Electric Ute Thu, 07 May: KGM Australia has officially unveiled the Musso EV, marking the brand's first foray into the electric ute segment. Set to go on sale from 1 December 2025, the Musso EV combines practicality with modern electric vehicle (EV) technology, catering to both commercial and lifestyle users. - read more
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| Electric Vehicles Achieve Record Market Share in Australia Thu, 07 May: In April 2026, electric vehicles (EVs) reached a significant milestone in Australia, accounting for 16.4% of all new car sales. This translates to approximately one in every six vehicles sold being electric, underscoring the accelerating shift towards sustainable transportation. - read more
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| Tesla Model Y Leads Australian Vehicle Sales in April 2026 Thu, 07 May: April 2026 marked a significant achievement for Tesla, as the Model Y became the best-selling vehicle in Australia for the month. This milestone underscores the increasing consumer preference for electric SUVs and Tesla's strong foothold in the market. - read more
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| Electric Vehicle Financing Sees Significant Growth in Australia Thu, 07 May: The Australian Finance Industry Association (AFIA) has reported a 48% year-on-year increase in electric vehicle (EV) financing for February 2026, highlighting a robust demand for EVs despite a general downturn in the motor finance market. - read more
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| Navigating Rising Premiums: Challenges for Australian Insurers Thu, 07 May: The Australian insurance sector is currently confronting significant challenges, with premium affordability emerging as a primary concern. This issue has ascended to the forefront, surpassing other pressing matters such as cyber risks and workforce shortages. The escalation in premiums is largely attributed to a combination of rising inflation, increased climate-related losses, and stringent regulatory pressures. - read more
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