APRA Addresses Home Insurance Affordability Challenges with New Initiatives

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has highlighted the ongoing challenges of home insurance affordability, emphasizing that the issue remains complex despite a recent moderation in reinsurance costs.

APRA Chair John Lonsdale noted that multiple factors contribute to this difficulty, not solely reinsurance expenses.

APRA is actively engaging with insurers, government agencies, and the private sector to address these affordability issues.

Lonsdale explained that APRA dedicates considerable resources to gathering data and facilitating dialogue with policymakers. Despite these efforts, insurance affordability is a convoluted issue involving many stakeholders, and the solutions are far from straightforward. APRA's recently released 2025-26 corporate plan prioritizes enhancing access to affordable reinsurance over the next four years, a critical step towards mitigating costs.

APRA is currently consulting with general insurers to explore strategies that ensure access to affordable reinsurance as global costs rise. The authority plans to unveil detailed proposals during the first half of the 2025-26 period. This initiative follows last year's announcement of potential changes to APRA’s reinsurance framework, aiming to provide insurers with alternative protection options like catastrophe bonds.

Additionally, APRA is preparing to release its insurance industry climate vulnerability assessment in the latter half of 2025-26. This assessment involves Australia’s five largest general insurers and includes a comprehensive analysis of detailed premium data. The findings will equip governments, insurers, policyholders, and the community with insights into how climate change risks might affect insurance affordability in the medium term.

APRA’s multi-pronged approach reflects a commitment to addressing the significant challenges around insurance costs, promising further developments in insurance frameworks and climate risk assessments that could shape the future landscape of the industry.

Published:Friday, 22nd Aug 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

Share this news item:

Insurance News

AFCA Upholds Insurer's Premium Increase Amid Consumer Complaint

01 Sep 2025: Paige Estritori

A recent decision by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has ruled against a homeowner seeking an $18,000 refund from Allianz. The homeowner claimed that the insurer failed to adequately inform her about substantial increases in her optional flood cover premiums. Initially, her monthly payments surged from $369 to $1277 in August 2022, a change she only noticed in March of the following year through her bank statements. - read more

Rising Group Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Life Insurance

28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

Insurance premiums for group life policies with long-term benefits have surged between 15% to 25% on average in the first half of the year, according to a mid-year market update from Marsh Australia. While the steepest increases affected those with adverse claims experiences, short-term rates and premiums for permanent disabilities remained relatively steady. The sector has also become more selective, with insurers adopting stricter underwriting standards, particularly eschewing high-risk industries. - read more

Concerns Arise Over Construction Code Pause Amid Housing Push

28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The federal government's initiative to accelerate housing development by relaxing certain building regulations has raised alarm within the insurance sector. Housing Minister Clare O’Neil announced changes on social media, indicating a strategic pause on parts of the National Construction Code to expedite building approvals and encourage the construction of much-needed homes across Australia. This move comes in response to challenges in the approval process, which often delays construction. - read more

RACQ Insurance Ordered to Increase Payout After Claim Handling Flaws

27 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

RACQ Insurance has been instructed to bolster a payout to a customer following a ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). The dispute arose after the insurer's handling of a house fire claim lodged by a woman in October 2023 was found lacking. The fire, initiated by scented candles, resulted in significant fire and smoke damage to her home. - read more

ASIC Review Puts Life Insurance Sector Under Scrutiny

26 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has spotlighted significant shortcomings in the direct sale of life insurance products, urging the industry to reassess its sales practices. The recent review unearthed ongoing issues with remuneration structures, indicating that some insurers still link commissions to sales targets, potentially fostering aggressive sales tactics. The study further revealed a troubling rise in claims disputes, with reported cases more than doubling since 2018, raising concerns about the transparency and trustworthiness of these policies. - read more

Cyber Insurance Articles

Understanding the Cost of Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses and How to Avoid Them

Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyber attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money from users, or interrupting normal business processes. - read more

Cyber Insurance 101: What Every Australian Business Owner Needs to Know

Cyber insurance, also known as cyber liability insurance, is a type of coverage designed to protect businesses from the financial repercussions of cyber attacks and data breaches. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the need for a safety net to mitigate the impact of such incidents has grown significantly. - read more

Protecting Your Business from Online Threats: The Benefits of Cyber Insurance

In today's digital age, businesses are increasingly becoming more vulnerable to online threats. Cyber attacks are not just limited to large corporations. Small businesses are also at risk and can suffer severe financial losses due to cyber threats. It is essential for small businesses to invest in cyber insurance. Cyber insurance offers protection against online threats, providing financial assistance if a company experiences a data breach, cyber attack, or other forms of cybercrime. - read more

How to Protect Your Small Business from Cyber Threats

In today's digital age, the rising importance of cybersecurity for small businesses in Australia cannot be overstated. As technology permeates every aspect of business operations, it offers tremendous advantages but also exposes small businesses to a growing array of cyber threats. These threats are increasingly targeting small companies, seeking to exploit vulnerabilities and potentially cause significant financial and reputational damage. - read more

Understanding the Risks: How Cyber Threats Can Cripple Your Business

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, Australian businesses face an ever-increasing array of cyber threats. From sophisticated phishing schemes to ransomware attacks, these dangers lurk in the virtual shadows, often going unnoticed until it's too late. Recognizing and understanding these cyber risks is not just important; it's crucial for the sustainability and success of any modern enterprise. - read more

Knowledgebase

Subrogation:
An insurance carrier may reserve the "right of subrogation" in the event of a loss. This means that the company may choose to take action to recover the amount of a claim paid to a covered insured if the loss was caused by a third party.