New CHU Green Grants Signal a Shift for Strata Risk
Why small sustainability upgrades may matter for future insurance affordability
0
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
CHU Underwriting Agencies has launched its inaugural Green Grant Program, distributing $50,000 across seven strata communities on 16 July 2026.
The initiative is modest in scale, with grants capped at $10,000 per successful application, but it points to a larger change in the way strata insurance risk is being discussed.
Instead of focusing only on premium increases after extreme weather or building losses, insurers are increasingly looking at practical ways to reduce risk before claims occur.
For strata committees, the important message is not simply that another grant round may open later in 2026. It is that sustainability, maintenance and insurance affordability are becoming more closely connected. Projects funded in the first round include shared heat pump infrastructure, riverbank restoration and recycling initiatives, showing that insurers are prepared to support works that improve both community outcomes and the resilience profile of insured buildings.
This matters because many strata schemes face a familiar barrier: everyone may agree that upgrades are needed, but shared decision-making, tight capital works budgets and competing owner priorities can delay action. A relatively small grant will not solve major defect, drainage or cladding issues, yet it can help committees start lower-cost improvements that demonstrate progress. Over time, documented risk reduction may also support stronger conversations at renewal, particularly where a building can show it is actively managing weather exposure, ageing infrastructure or energy performance.
The development also extends recent market debate about the cost of strata insurance Australia-wide. Premium stability can be undermined quickly when a building has poor maintenance records, unresolved defects or repeated weather-related claims. Grants of this kind do not replace the need for proper valuations, capital works planning or fit-for-purpose strata insurance coverage, but they can encourage owners corporations to treat resilience spending as part of their insurance strategy rather than an optional environmental extra.
Committees considering similar opportunities should start with a practical risk audit: identify common property assets most exposed to storm, water ingress, heat, fire or service failure; check whether existing maintenance plans are current; and keep clear records of completed improvements. Where the insurance implications are unclear, professional assistance can help translate building upgrades into better renewal submissions and more informed discussions with insurers.
The broader lesson is that insurers are watching how strata communities govern risk. Buildings that can show active maintenance, transparent decision-making and measurable resilience work may be better placed than those that wait for claims to reveal weaknesses. CHU’s grant program is only one initiative, but it reinforces a direction that strata committees cannot ignore: future affordability will depend not only on the market cycle, but on how well each scheme manages the risks within its control.
Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.
QBE and Blue Zebra have extended their motor underwriting partnership, with Blue Zebra confirming a new multi-year agreement after the previous arrangement expired. QBE has been underwriting Blue Zebra’s commercial and private motor products since July last year, following the end of the agency’s earlier arrangement with Youi. - read more
A new Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision has put income protection claims under the spotlight, with useful lessons for tradies who rely on their own capacity to work. The dispute involved a delivery driver who had received weekly income protection benefits after a serious arm-related medical condition prevented him from working. The insurer later tried to recover more than $31,000 in paid benefits, arguing it had information suggesting he could have returned to work earlier. - read more
CHU Underwriting Agencies has launched its inaugural Green Grant Program, distributing $50,000 across seven strata communities on 16 July 2026. The initiative is modest in scale, with grants capped at $10,000 per successful application, but it points to a larger change in the way strata insurance risk is being discussed. Instead of focusing only on premium increases after extreme weather or building losses, insurers are increasingly looking at practical ways to reduce risk before claims occur. - read more
Marsh Risk has appointed Justin Gillingham as its new head of strata, in a move that reflects how quickly the Australian strata insurance market is becoming more specialised. Announced on 20 July 2026, the appointment brings a senior insurance and risk professional into a role focused on buildings, owners corporations and communities dealing with increasingly complicated cover, compliance and claims issues. - read more
A new industry estimate has put the insured cost of Victoria’s January bushfires at $860 million, sharpening the focus on how quickly natural disaster losses can affect businesses that rely on vehicles, tools, workshops, stock and regional worksites. For tradies, the important detail is not just the size of the loss, but where it landed: commercial property reportedly accounted for the largest share, ahead of personal property and motor losses. - read more
Cyber insurance is one of the most valuable business covers available today, but it is also one of the most confusing to apply for. Many business owners expect it to work like other insurance types, where you provide basic details such as turnover, industry, and location, then receive a quote. Cyber insurance is different. It behaves less like a simple application and more like a risk interview. - read more
As we dive deeper into the digital era, the topic of cyber security becomes increasingly critical. With businesses and individuals relying heavily on digital technologies, the threat of cyber attacks looms larger than ever. This introductory section aims to unpack the concept of cyber insurance as a tool to mitigate these risks. - read more
In today’s digital landscape, Australian companies face an increasing threat from cyber criminals. The paramount importance of cybersecurity has never been more evident, with the surge of incidents exposing the vulnerabilities in organizations' digital defenses. As we usher into an era where data breaches and cyber attacks are commonplace, protecting digital assets becomes a crucial part of doing business. - read more
In today's rapidly evolving cyber landscape, Australian businesses must prioritize data security more than ever before. As companies continue to digitize operations and store sensitive data electronically, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has become paramount. This introduction lays the foundation for understanding the criticality of protecting your company's most valuable asset—its data. - read more
Cyber risk management involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to digital and online threats. These threats can include unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, and other malicious activities targeting an organization’s digital infrastructure. - read more
Knowledgebase
Aggregate Limit: The maximum amount an insurer will pay for all covered losses during a policy period.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.