| Strengthening Agricultural Insurance: Rural Affinity and Munich Re's Renewed Partnership Tue, 10 Feb: Rural Affinity has renewed its partnership with Munich Re Specialty - Global Markets under a new five-year agreement, continuing a collaboration that began in 2006. This renewed alliance aims to support Rural Affinity's efforts to expand its agricultural insurance offerings across Australia and introduce new products leveraging technology and innovation. - read more
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| Australian Mortgage Market Reaches Record $2.41 Trillion Tue, 10 Feb: In November 2025, Australia's mortgage market achieved a new milestone, with the total value of residential mortgages reaching $2.41 trillion. This record-breaking figure reflects a 0.67% increase from the previous month and a 6.36% rise over the past year, as reported by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). - read more
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| Australian Homeowners Embrace Refinancing Amid Rate Cuts Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian mortgage market has witnessed a significant surge in refinancing activity, with nearly 100,000 loans refinanced in the June 2025 quarter. This marks the highest level since September 2023 and reflects homeowners' proactive responses to recent interest rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). - read more
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| Major Australian Lenders Tighten Policies on Trust and Company Lending Tue, 10 Feb: In a significant shift within Australia's financial sector, major lenders Macquarie Bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) have recently implemented stricter policies regarding lending to trusts and companies. These changes reflect a broader trend towards more cautious lending practices in response to regulatory concerns and market dynamics. - read more
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| RBA Reports Significant Surge in Business and Home Lending Tue, 10 Feb: Recent data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) indicates a notable acceleration in both business and home lending, challenging earlier predictions of a potential slowdown. As of December 2024, business credit growth reached 8.9%, marking the highest rate since May 2023. Similarly, investor housing credit surged to 5.1%, achieving its highest rate since December 2022. - read more
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| Renown Lending Boosts SME Funding Pool to $400 Million Tue, 10 Feb: In a significant move to bolster support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Australia, Renown Lending has announced an expansion of its funding pool from $250 million to $400 million. This substantial increase aims to provide fast and flexible financing solutions to businesses nationwide, addressing the growing demand for accessible funding options. - read more
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| MotorCycle Holdings Expands National Presence with Strategic Acquisition Tue, 10 Feb: MotorCycle Holdings Limited (MCH) has significantly expanded its national footprint by acquiring select dealership and eCommerce assets from the Peter Stevens and Harley-Heaven networks. This strategic move enhances MCH's presence across four Australian states and introduces new product categories to its portfolio. - read more
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| AFCA Mandates Insurer Payout for Engine Overheating Incident Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled in favour of a truck owner whose insurance claim was initially denied following an engine overheating incident. This decision underscores the complexities surrounding insurance claims related to driver negligence and mechanical failures. - read more
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| AFCA Supports Insurer in Truck Theft Claim Denial Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently upheld an insurer's decision to deny a truck theft claim, citing misrepresentation of the insured's insurance history. This ruling highlights the critical importance of accurate disclosure when obtaining insurance coverage. - read more
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| AFCA Sides with Freight Company in Dangerous Goods Disclosure Case Tue, 10 Feb: The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has recently ruled in favour of a freight company in a dispute over the disclosure of transporting dangerous goods. This decision provides valuable insights into the obligations of transport companies regarding insurance disclosures. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Falling Behind in Risk Preparedness Tue, 10 Feb: Recent findings from PwC's Insurance Banana Skins Survey highlight a concerning trend: Australian insurers are trailing their global counterparts in risk preparedness. The survey, which gathered insights from 698 insurance executives across 42 territories, indicates that Australian insurers scored 6.6% lower on the Preparedness Index compared to the global average. - read more
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| Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Experience Significant Decline Tue, 10 Feb: According to the latest Global Insurance Market Index by Marsh, commercial insurance rates in the Australia-Pacific region fell by 8% in the fourth quarter of 2024. This marks the most significant decline globally, surpassing reductions in other regions such as the UK (5%) and Asia (3%). - read more
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| Critical Financial Decisions Impacting Australian Households in 2026 Tue, 10 Feb: In 2026, Australian households are poised to face significant financial decisions that will influence their budgets. Understanding these developments is essential for effective financial management. - read more
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| ICA Proposes Measures to Mitigate Escalating Motor Insurance Premiums Mon, 09 Feb: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has released a policy paper titled 'Motor Insurance Policy Paper – A Roadmap for Reducing Rising Premiums,' highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action to address systemic cost drivers behind the 42% increase in comprehensive motor insurance premiums since 2019. - read more
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| Budget Direct Triumphs as Australia's Top Insurer in 2026 Mon, 09 Feb: In a remarkable achievement, Budget Direct has been honoured as the inaugural 'Insurer of the Year' at the 2026 Finder Provider of the Year Awards. This prestigious recognition underscores the company's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value and service to Australian policyholders. - read more
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| Australian Insurers Face Challenges in Cyber Risk Readiness Mon, 09 Feb: Recent findings from the PwC Insurance Banana Skins Survey have raised concerns about the preparedness of Australian insurers in managing emerging risks, particularly in the realms of cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI). The survey indicates that Australian insurers scored 6.6% lower on the Preparedness Index compared to their global counterparts, highlighting a significant gap in readiness. - read more
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| Significant Decline in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates Mon, 09 Feb: In a notable development for the Australian insurance market, commercial insurance rates experienced a substantial decline of 12% in the fourth quarter of 2025. This decrease, as reported by Marsh's Global Insurance Market Index, represents the most significant drop among the eight regions monitored and marks the steepest reduction since the Pacific rates began to decrease in early 2024. - read more
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| Australian Trucking Association Challenges Proposed Fuel Tax Hike Mon, 09 Feb: The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has strongly opposed the Productivity Commission's proposal to phase out fuel tax credits for trucking operators, a move that would effectively double the fuel tax paid by the industry. ATA Chair Mark Parry highlighted that such an increase would raise the effective fuel tax from 32.4 cents to 66.1 cents per litre by 2035. - read more
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| Australia's First Major Electric Truck Charging Hub Set for Melbourne Mon, 09 Feb: In a landmark development for Australia's freight industry, energy company Mondo, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), is set to establish the nation's first major electric truck charging hub in Melbourne's Laverton North. The project, slated for completion by late 2026, represents a significant step towards reducing emissions in road freight. - read more
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| Treasury Initiates Review of Professional Indemnity Insurance to Support CSLR Mon, 09 Feb: The Australian Treasury has commenced a consultation process aimed at improving the effectiveness of professional indemnity (PI) insurance, with the goal of strengthening the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR). This initiative seeks to gather stakeholder feedback on the current operation of PI insurance and explore opportunities for enhancement. - read more
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| Landmark NSW Ruling: New Risks for Construction Liability Insurance Mon, 09 Feb: Recent developments in New South Wales have significantly altered the liability landscape for construction professionals. A landmark court ruling in the Pafburn case has removed the proportionate liability defence previously relied upon by developers and head contractors, thereby increasing their exposure to claims related to building defects. - read more
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| Upcover Introduces Management Liability Insurance for Australian SMEs Mon, 09 Feb: Sydney-based insurtech company Upcover has unveiled a new management liability insurance product designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and sole traders in Australia. This offering aims to provide comprehensive protection against a range of risks that business owners may face. - read more
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| Sure Insurance Boosts Strata Coverage Limits to $20 Million Mon, 09 Feb: Sure Insurance, a specialist insurer in Northern and Regional Queensland, has announced an increase in its residential strata insurance coverage limits from $5 million to $20 million. This strategic move is designed to address the affordability crisis and improve access to adequate insurance for apartment complexes in these regions. - read more
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| ICA Advocates for Reforms in Victoria's Strata Legislation Mon, 09 Feb: The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has called for significant reforms to Victoria's strata laws, highlighting that poor governance and deferred maintenance are leading to increased insurance premiums for the one in five Victorians residing in strata-titled properties. - read more
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| InsurtechLIVE26 Conference Set to Propel Insurance Innovation in 2026 Sun, 08 Feb: Insurtech Australia has officially announced the upcoming InsurtechLIVE26 conference, scheduled for 18 February 2026 at Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf in Sydney. This event is poised to be a pivotal gathering for professionals in the insurance and technology sectors, aiming to explore and advance innovation within the industry. - read more
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