| Envest Group Unveils TLI Underwriting: A New Era for Heavy Motor Fleet Insurance Fri, 21 Nov: Envest Group, a prominent player in Australia's insurance sector, has announced the launch of TLI Underwriting, a new agency dedicated to providing specialized insurance solutions for heavy motor fleet operators. This strategic move aims to address the unique challenges faced by larger transport businesses in Australia. - read more
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| ASIC Initiates Legal Proceedings Against QBE for Alleged Misleading Discount Practices Fri, 21 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced legal action against QBE Insurance, alleging that the insurer misled more than 500,000 customers regarding premium discounts over a five-year period. This development has significant implications for the Australian insurance industry, particularly for policyholders seeking transparency and fairness in premium calculations. - read more
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| Hutch Underwriting's Trade Pack: Simplifying Insurance for Australian SME Tradies Fri, 21 Nov: Hutch Underwriting has unveiled Trade Pack, a comprehensive insurance solution designed specifically for Australia's small and medium-sized trade businesses (SMEs). This innovative product aims to streamline coverage and alleviate the administrative challenges often faced by brokers and tradies alike. - read more
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| IAG's AI Integration: Revolutionising 'Make Safe' Repair Assessments Fri, 21 Nov: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has integrated generative artificial intelligence (AI) into its property claims assessment process, specifically to determine the necessity of 'make safe' repairs. This technological advancement aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs associated with unnecessary contractor dispatches. - read more
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| Hollard Insurance's Costly Lesson: The Impact of Contractor Negligence Fri, 21 Nov: Hollard Insurance has been ordered to pay over $225,000 in compensation after contractors appointed by the insurer caused significant dust damage during home repairs. This case underscores the critical importance of diligent contractor oversight in the insurance industry. - read more
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| ASIC's Review Uncovers Key Issues in Motor Vehicle Financing Fri, 21 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) has released preliminary insights into its ongoing review of the motor vehicle finance sector, shedding light on practices that may be detrimental to consumers. The review aims to identify mechanisms to reduce consumer harm and improve outcomes for all car finance customers, including those in regional and remote areas and First Nations communities. - read more
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| New Government Initiative Offers Affordable Loans for Electric Vehicle Purchases Fri, 21 Nov: In a significant move to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Australian government has announced a $50 million partnership with Metro Finance. This initiative aims to provide low-interest loans to businesses for the purchase of electric cars, trucks, utes, and forklifts, thereby reducing energy bills and emissions. - read more
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| BIA Introduces Integrated Indemnity and Liability Insurance Solution Fri, 21 Nov: Berkley Insurance Australia (BIA) has announced the launch of a combined professional indemnity (PI) and public liability (PL) insurance product, set to be available from June 1 through the Steadfast Client Trading Platform (SCTP). This initiative aims to simplify the insurance process for brokers and their clients by offering a unified policy that addresses both professional and public liability risks. - read more
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| Markel Unveils Tailored Professional Indemnity Insurance for Australian Market Fri, 21 Nov: Markel, a US-based specialty insurer, has launched a suite of professional indemnity (PI) insurance products specifically designed for the Australian market. These offerings cater to professionals in accounting, construction, design and construct, insurance, media, and miscellaneous sectors. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Report Record Profits Amid Public Scrutiny Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian general insurance industry has reported an after-tax profit of $7.3 billion for the last financial year, marking its strongest performance in over a decade. This significant profit surge is attributed to lower-than-expected catastrophe losses and robust investment returns. However, this financial success has sparked public discourse regarding the fairness of pricing practices and the overall perception of the industry. - read more
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| ASIC Highlights Compliance Risks in Insurers' Claims Handling Practices Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has identified significant weaknesses in the claims handling practices of several insurers, raising concerns about potential compliance breaches. The regulator's recent review points to deficiencies in the oversight of expert reports and inadequate communication with consumers regarding cash settlement offers. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Brace for Earnings Slowdown After Record Profits Thu, 20 Nov: After achieving a return on equity (ROE) of 19% in the last financial year—the highest in a decade—Australian general insurers are preparing for a moderation in earnings growth. Consultancy firm Finity projects that the industry's ROE will decrease by six percentage points to 13% in the current financial year, aligning with the target range of 10% to 15%. - read more
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| Rising Liability Costs Put Pressure on Australia's Leisure Sector Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian Amusement Leisure & Recreation Association (AALARA) has raised concerns over the escalating costs of public liability insurance, which are placing significant pressure on amusement and recreation operators across the country. This warning follows the Insurance Council of Australia's (ICA) recent call for reforms to civil liability laws. - read more
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| New Report Highlights Insurance Challenges for Australian Small Businesses Thu, 20 Nov: A recent report by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has revealed that small businesses in Australia are paying up to 30% more for their insurance premiums due to taxes and levies imposed by state and territory governments. This financial burden is leading to a worrying trend where an increasing number of small businesses are either underinsuring or forgoing insurance altogether. - read more
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| Introducing 'eeger': A New Era for Hospitality Careers in Australia Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian hospitality industry has long been a cornerstone of the nation's economy, offering diverse experiences to both locals and tourists. However, recent challenges, including labour shortages and the need for skilled workers, have prompted the government to take proactive measures. In response, the Australian government, in partnership with Accommodation Australia, has unveiled 'eeger', a comprehensive platform designed to attract, train, and retain talent within the tourism, hospitality, and travel sectors. - read more
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| Harnessing Technology: A Catalyst for Growth in Australia's Hospitality Industry Thu, 20 Nov: In the face of rising operational costs and labour shortages, the Australian hospitality industry is increasingly turning to technology to drive growth and enhance customer experiences. A recent report by Lightspeed highlights that nearly half (47%) of venue operators acknowledge the pivotal role of digital tools in improving operational efficiency. Additionally, 41% noted enhancements in customer service, attributing these improvements to the integration of technology that allows staff to focus more on service delivery. - read more
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| Navigating Rising Costs: Challenges for Australia's Hospitality Sector Thu, 20 Nov: The Australian hospitality industry is currently grappling with escalating operational costs, posing significant challenges to profitability and sustainability. Factors such as increased supply expenses, labour shortages, and economic uncertainties have converged, creating a complex landscape for businesses in the sector. - read more
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| Club Marine Recognised for Outstanding Service with 2025 Product Review Award Wed, 19 Nov: Club Marine, Australia's leading provider of recreational boat insurance, has been honoured with the 2025 Product Review Award for Insurance. This accolade is a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and service excellence. - read more
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| Markel Insurance Expands into Australian Marine Market with New Leadership Wed, 19 Nov: Markel Insurance, a prominent global insurer, has announced the appointment of Tim Wills as Head of Marine – Australia. This strategic move signifies Markel's entry into the Australian marine insurance market, beginning with marine cargo coverage. - read more
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| Addressing the $38 Billion Equity Shortfall in Australian SMEs Wed, 19 Nov: Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal to the nation's economy, representing only 6% of all businesses yet contributing 26% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite their significance, these businesses face a substantial barrier: a $38 billion equity funding gap that stifles their growth potential. - read more
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| 20-Fold Increase in Small Business Restructurings to Sustain Operations Wed, 19 Nov: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has reported a significant uptick in small business restructurings (SBR), with 3,388 appointments between July 2022 and December 2024. This marks an almost 20-fold increase compared to the previous period, indicating that more directors are embracing this regime to retain control while restructuring debt. - read more
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| AFCA Alerts SMEs to Risks of Unregulated Lenders Amid Complaint Surge Wed, 19 Nov: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has issued a warning to small businesses regarding the risks associated with unregulated lenders. This comes in response to a notable increase in complaints that AFCA cannot address due to the lenders' lack of membership in the authority. - read more
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| NSW Introduces Strata Law Reforms to Strengthen Community Governance Wed, 19 Nov: On 27 October 2025, the New South Wales (NSW) Government implemented significant reforms to strata laws, aiming to enhance transparency, accountability, and financial management within strata schemes. These changes are designed to better meet the evolving needs of strata communities across the state. - read more
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| Strata Insurance Affordability Holds Steady Despite Rising House Insurance Costs Wed, 19 Nov: In its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, CHU has revealed that strata insurance premiums have experienced a modest increase of 2.8%, rising to an average of $981 per lot 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. - read more
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| Consumer Advocates Push for Ban on Strata Insurance Commissions in NSW Wed, 19 Nov: Consumer advocacy groups, including the Australian Consumers Insurance Lobby (ACIL) and the Owners Corporation Network (OCN), are urging the New South Wales (NSW) Government to implement a ban on commissions related to strata insurance. They argue that such commissions create conflicts of interest and compromise transparency within the strata management sector. - read more
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