- BHSI Launch Highlights SME Management Risk Needs
Australian small and medium-sized businesses have another management liability option to consider, after BizCover expanded its partnership with Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company on 1 July 2026.
- New Liability Cover Adds Choice for Australian SMEs
Haven Underwriting has expanded its product suite with a new broadform liability offering, adding another option for Australian businesses that rely on customer-facing premises, physical locations and day-to-day public interaction.
- Why Policy Exclusions Matter Before a Claim
A recent Victorian Supreme Court decision is a timely reminder that having property or business interruption cover does not automatically mean every costly disruption will be insured.
- IAG Enhances Reinsurance Strategy with RACQI Integration
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has successfully integrated RACQ Insurance (RACQI) into its 2026 catastrophe reinsurance program, marking a significant step in enhancing its coverage and operational efficiency. This integration follows IAG's acquisition of RACQI on 1 September 2025, and reflects the company's commitment to optimising its reinsurance strategy.
- Key Takeaways from the 2026-27 Federal Budget for Insurers
The 2026-27 Federal Budget, presented by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on 12 May 2026, introduces several measures with direct implications for the Australian insurance sector. These initiatives aim to address challenges such as property insurance costs and underinsurance, reflecting the government's focus on enhancing the resilience of the insurance market.
- Rising Insurance Costs Impact Transport and Construction Sectors
Recent analyses indicate that Australian transport and construction industries are encountering substantial increases in insurance premiums, driven by overarching macroeconomic factors rather than individual business performance.
- Soft Market Conditions Persist in Australian Commercial Insurance
The Australian commercial insurance market has maintained a soft stance through the first half of 2026, characterized by competitive pricing and expanded insurer capacity.
- Insurance Council Proposes Reforms to Strengthen Small Business Resilience
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has recently submitted proposals to the Parliamentary Joint Committee's inquiry into small business insurance, advocating for reforms aimed at bolstering the resilience of Australia's 2.5 million small businesses.
- Australia's Rising Litigation Rates: Implications for Small Businesses
Recent developments have positioned Australia as the world's most litigious market, overtaking the United States. This shift has significant implications for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the nation, particularly concerning insurance costs and accessibility.
- Navigating the Evolving Cyber Insurance Landscape
The cyber insurance market is currently characterized by favorable conditions for buyers, including competitive pricing and accessible coverage. However, emerging threats, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence (AI), suggest that this advantageous landscape may soon change.
- Rising Professional Indemnity Claims in Financial Services
The financial services sector is currently at the epicenter of a surge in professional indemnity (PI) claims, driven by intensified regulatory scrutiny and operational challenges. This trend has significant implications for businesses and their insurance coverage strategies.
- ACCC Scrutinises IAG's Proposed Acquisition of RAC Insurance
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has escalated its examination of Insurance Australia Group's (IAG) proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance to a Phase 2 review. This decision reflects concerns that the merger could significantly reduce competition within Western Australia's insurance market.
- HESTA to Lower Insurance Fees for Members Starting July 2026
HESTA, a prominent Australian superannuation fund, has announced a reduction in insurance fees for its members, effective from July 1, 2026. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to offer more accessible and affordable insurance coverage, particularly in light of the current economic climate and rising cost-of-living pressures.
- Aviso WA's Strategic Acquisition of Wray Insurance
In a strategic move to expand its service offerings, Aviso WA has acquired Wray Insurance, a well-established insurance brokerage. This acquisition aims to enhance the range of services available to clients while ensuring continuity in existing coverage and relationships.
- QBE Divests Trade Credit Business to Swiss Re
In a strategic move to streamline its operations, QBE Insurance Group has agreed to sell its global trade credit and surety business to Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. This unit, with a significant presence in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, is projected to generate annual revenue of approximately $283 million.
- EML Group Acquires Majority Stake in Guild Insurance
EML Group has acquired a 70% stake in Guild Insurance, marking a significant strategic partnership aimed at unlocking growth opportunities and accelerating the development of technology and artificial intelligence within the insurance sector.
- Sompo International Strengthens Australian Presence with Strategic Hires
Sompo International has announced a significant expansion of its Australian operations by recruiting a team of specialists from Everest Group's local arm. This move marks a strategic shift for Sompo, which has maintained a presence in Australia for over 60 years, primarily focusing on Japanese accounts.
- MECON Enhances Construction Insurance Capacity to $120 Million
In a significant development for the Australian construction industry, MECON Insurance has announced an increase in its underwriting capacity, now offering coverage up to $120 million for single projects.
- Zurich and Cowbell Introduce 'Prime One' Cyber Insurance for Australian SMEs
In a strategic move to bolster cyber resilience among Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Zurich Financial Services Australia has partnered with Cowbell, a specialist in adaptive cyber insurance solutions, to launch 'Prime One.
- Guardian Insurance Brokers Secures Consecutive Large Brokerage of the Year Award
Guardian Insurance Brokers, an Adelaide-based firm, has been honored with the Large Brokerage of the Year award by Insurance Business Australia for the second consecutive year. This prestigious accolade underscores the company's unwavering commitment to client advocacy and service excellence within the Australian insurance industry.
- Significant Decline in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates in Early 2026
In the first quarter of 2026, Australian commercial insurance rates experienced a notable decline, with prices dropping by 12%. This trend mirrors the decrease observed in the previous quarter, indicating a sustained softening in the market.
- APRA Warns of Increased Risks Facing Australian Insurers
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has issued a cautionary statement regarding the heightened risks confronting Australian insurers, despite their current financial and operational resilience.
- Australian Insurers Face Challenges in Risk Preparedness
Recent findings from the PwC Insurance Banana Skins Survey reveal that Australian insurers are trailing their global counterparts in risk preparedness, scoring 6.6% lower on the Preparedness Index. This gap highlights the pressing need for the Australian insurance industry to bolster its strategies against emerging threats.
- Market Concentration in Australian Insurance Industry Under Scrutiny
Australia's general insurance market is currently dominated by four major companies—Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Suncorp, QBE, and Allianz—which collectively control nearly 75% of the market. This high level of concentration has sparked discussions about its implications for competition and consumer outcomes.
- Rising Insurance Premiums Challenge Australian Small Businesses
Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are grappling with escalating insurance premiums, a trend largely driven by the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters.
- Rising Insurance Costs Threaten Australian Small Businesses
Small business insurance premiums in Australia have surged by up to 60% since 2019, rendering coverage increasingly unaffordable for many enterprises. The Insurance Council of Australia attributes this escalation to outdated liability laws, escalating legal costs, and governmental red tape.
- Significant Decline in Australian Commercial Insurance Rates in Late 2025
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Australian commercial insurance rates experienced a notable decline, with prices dropping by 12%. This marks the most significant decrease among the eight regions monitored by Marsh's Global Insurance Market Index.
- Queensland Small Businesses Struggle with Escalating Insurance Costs
Insurance affordability has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges facing small businesses across Queensland and increasingly across Australia.
