| Survey Highlights Alarming Number of Australians Travelling Uninsured Mon, 16 Feb: Recent research conducted by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has unveiled a concerning trend: approximately 14% of Australian travelers embark on international journeys without any form of travel insurance. This statistic has prompted industry leaders to urge Australians to reconsider the importance of securing adequate coverage before traveling abroad. - read more
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| IAG's Impressive FY25 Performance and Strategic Outlook for FY26 Mon, 16 Feb: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has reported a notable 4.3% increase in gross written premium (GWP), reaching $17.1 billion for the fiscal year 2025. This growth is accompanied by a net profit after tax of $1.36 billion, marking a significant rise from the previous year's $898 million. The company's reported insurance profit stands at $1.74 billion, with a margin of 17.5%, and a return on equity improving to 19.4%. - read more
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| Potential Decrease in Australian Insurance Premiums Amid Global Market Downturn Mon, 16 Feb: Recent developments in the global financial markets have sparked discussions about potential benefits for Australian insurance policyholders. A significant sell-off in the insurance sector on Wall Street has led analysts to speculate that Australian insurance premiums could see a reduction in the near future. - read more
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| NSW Court Decision Escalates Liability Risks for Construction Industry Mon, 16 Feb: A recent landmark ruling in New South Wales has significantly altered the liability landscape for the construction industry. The court's decision removes the ability for developers and builders to rely on proportionate liability defences under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (DBP Act), thereby increasing their exposure to claims related to building defects. - read more
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| Rising Public Liability Insurance Premiums Challenge Australian Businesses Mon, 16 Feb: The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its latest National Claims and Policies Database (NCPD) statistics, revealing a substantial increase in public liability insurance premiums over recent years. According to the data, premiums have risen by 40% since 2015, a rate that surpasses general inflation and places additional financial strain on businesses across the country. - read more
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| IAG Foresees Ongoing Insurance Premium Rises Amidst Inflation and Climate Concerns Mon, 16 Feb: Insurance Australia Group (IAG), a leading insurer in the Australian market, has reported a significant 91% increase in net profit for the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year, amounting to $778 million. This surge is largely attributed to favourable weather conditions during the period. Despite this positive financial outcome, IAG's CEO, Nick Hawkins, has indicated that insurance premiums are expected to continue rising, though at a more moderated pace compared to previous years. - read more
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| Lismore Pizza Restaurant Secures Insurance Payout After Stormwater Damage Dispute Mon, 16 Feb: A Lismore-based pizza restaurant has successfully resolved an insurance dispute concerning stormwater damage sustained during severe weather events in February 2023. The restaurant experienced multiple instances of stormwater ingress between 10 pm on February 27 and 4 am on February 28, with water levels reaching up to 100mm before the premises were overwhelmed by floodwaters. - read more
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| CHU Revamps Residential Strata Insurance Policies Mon, 16 Feb: In August 2025, CHU, Australia's largest strata underwriting agency, announced significant updates to its residential strata insurance policies. These enhancements are designed to address evolving customer needs by removing complexities, bridging coverage gaps, and ensuring better protection for strata residents. - read more
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| NSW Implements Stricter Strata Maintenance Regulations Mon, 16 Feb: In November 2025, New South Wales (NSW) introduced a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the maintenance and repair obligations of strata properties. These changes empower NSW Fair Trading to issue compliance notices and enter enforceable undertakings with owners' corporations that fail to maintain and repair common property as required. - read more
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| Sea-Doo Dominates Australian Marine Brand Searches in Q4 2025 Sun, 15 Feb: As the Australian summer approaches, the marine industry has witnessed a significant shift in consumer interest, with Sea-Doo emerging as the most-searched marine brand in the fourth quarter of 2025. According to Retain Media's Q4 2025 Marine Market Brand Consideration Report, Sea-Doo captured 11.2% of search queries, marking a substantial 51.4% increase from the previous quarter's 7.4%. - read more
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| Starboard Maritime Intelligence Raises $20 Million to Advance AI Maritime Security Sun, 15 Feb: In a significant development for maritime security, Starboard Maritime Intelligence, a New Zealand-based company specializing in artificial intelligence solutions for ocean protection, has successfully closed a NZ$23 million (approximately AU$20.6 million) Series A funding round. This oversubscribed round attracted substantial interest from Australian venture capital firms, underscoring the growing importance of advanced technologies in safeguarding maritime interests. - read more
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| Cyan Renewables Acquires MMA Offshore in AU$1.1 Billion Deal Sun, 15 Feb: In a landmark transaction within the marine industry, Singapore-based Cyan Renewables has acquired Australian offshore marine services provider MMA Offshore for AU$1.1 billion (approximately US$702 million). This acquisition represents the region's largest take-private deal in the offshore wind energy services sector, significantly enhancing Cyan's presence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. - read more
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| AFCA Issues Warning to SMEs on Unregulated Lenders Sun, 15 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently raised concerns regarding the risks small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face when engaging with unregulated lenders. This caution 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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| Australian Tech Startups Secure $4 Billion Amid Traditional Lending Decline Sun, 15 Feb: In 2024, Australian technology startups achieved a significant milestone by raising $4 billion across 414 deals, marking an 11% increase from the previous year and the third-highest annual total on record. This surge underscores the robust investor confidence in the tech sector, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, health technology, and climate technology. - read more
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| SME Lending Boom Presents New Revenue Opportunities for Brokers Sun, 15 Feb: Australia is witnessing a significant surge in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending, creating lucrative opportunities for brokers to expand their revenue streams. This growth is driven by SMEs' increasing appetite for expansion, including hiring staff, upgrading equipment, and scaling operations after strong trading periods. - read more
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| Strata Communities Endorse Call for Enhanced Resilience Reforms Sun, 15 Feb: Strata communities are at the forefront of Australia's resilience battle, facing escalating costs, declining coverage, and prolonged recovery periods following disasters. Strata Community Association Australasia (SCA) has expressed strong support for the Insurance Council of Australia's (ICA) recent call for coordinated, long-term resilience reforms to protect communities from these challenges. - read more
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| Artificial Intelligence Revolutionises Australian Insurance Sector Sun, 15 Feb: The Australian insurance industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with companies increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. This shift aims to enhance efficiency, improve customer service, and strengthen risk management practices in a rapidly evolving market. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Confront Financial Risks Amid Climate Change Sun, 15 Feb: Climate change is increasingly impacting the Australian insurance industry, presenting significant financial risks as the frequency and severity of natural disasters escalate. Insurers are grappling with the challenge of adapting to this new reality while maintaining financial stability and providing affordable coverage to consumers. - read more
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| Budget Direct Triumphs as 2026 Insurer of the Year Sun, 15 Feb: Budget Direct has been honoured with the inaugural 'Insurer of the Year' title at the 2026 Finder Provider of the Year Awards, marking a significant achievement in the Australian insurance sector. This accolade underscores the company's commitment to delivering exceptional value and service to its customers. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Face Growing AI and Cybersecurity Challenges Sun, 15 Feb: Recent findings from the PwC Insurance Banana Skins Survey reveal a concerning trend: Australian insurers are increasingly falling behind their global counterparts in preparedness for emerging risks, particularly those associated with artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber threats. The survey indicates that local insurers are now 6.6% less prepared than their international peers, marking the widest gap observed in recent years. - read more
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| Australian General Insurers Report Record Financial Performance Sun, 15 Feb: The Australian general insurance industry has reported a remarkable financial performance for the 2025 financial year (FY25), achieving a 19% return on equity (ROE)—the highest in a decade. This significant milestone reflects the sector's resilience and strategic adaptability in a dynamic economic environment. - read more
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| IAG's Strategic Reinsurance Deals Aim to Bolster Financial Stability Sun, 15 Feb: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has recently announced the establishment of two significant reinsurance agreements designed to enhance the company's financial stability by reducing earnings volatility. These strategic moves involve partnerships with global reinsurers Berkshire Hathaway and Canada Life Reinsurance, focusing on long-term natural perils protection, and an Adverse Development Cover with Enstar to address long-tail risks. - read more
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| IAG Implements Executive Leadership Changes to Drive Strategic Objectives Sun, 15 Feb: Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has announced significant changes to its executive leadership team as part of its ongoing efforts to align with strategic objectives and enhance operational efficiency. The company has confirmed the retirement of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Michelle McPherson by the end of 2023 and the departure of Chief Insurance & Strategy Officer Tim Plant on 30 June 2023. - read more
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| ANZ's Australia Commercial Division Sees 11% Profit Growth Sat, 14 Feb: ANZ Banking Group has reported an 11% increase in profit for its Australia Commercial division over the past year. This growth is attributed to robust lending activities, particularly in the agribusiness and health sectors. - read more
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| AMA Advocates for Regulatory Reforms to Curb Health Insurers' Market Power Sat, 14 Feb: The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has recently highlighted concerns regarding the substantial market power wielded by private health insurers and its potential adverse effects on patient care and healthcare costs. In a position statement released on 4 February 2026, the AMA emphasised the need for regulatory reforms to prevent insurers from exploiting their dominant positions in the healthcare sector. - read more
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