Welcome to the Insurance Online News podcast with your host, Paige Estritori, where we deliver the latest and most significant news from the world of insurance in Australia. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to bring you the freshest updates, focusing on the stories that matter the most to both Australian businesses and individual consumers over the past week.
Through meticulous research, we transform these developments into original content that not only keeps you informed but also offers deep insights into the insurance landscape as it stands today. Our podcast distills these crucial updates into a format that's both succinct and captivating. For professionals within the insurance realm or personal consumers keen on keeping up with insurance trends, look no further. Paige Estritori brings you all the essential information daily, making our podcast the ultimate destination for trustworthy and impactful insurance news.
This Week:
This week: the draft General Insurance Code consultation closed on 21 July, with consumer groups calling for stronger protections while insurers say standards will rise; a Queensland claims delay case highlights rights to timely repairs and support, with a watchdog set to review temporary accommodation practices; AFCA backs a travel insurers war/violence exclusion for Red Sea cancellations, so check PDS exclusions before you book; and embedded insurance keeps growing as a local insurtech raises new funding—compare checkout offers with standalone cover. Get fast, free quotes at insuranceonline.com.au.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori for 23 July 2026.
First, Australias General Insurance Code of Practice is being rewritten, and public consultation closed on 21 July. Consumer groups lodged a 10‑point plan, arguing too many protections have been watered down and that a two‑year transition is too long, while insurers say the new code will be contractually enforceable and lifts standards. Why this matters: clearer rules on claims timeframes, vulnerability support and cash settlements could affect how your home, car or business claim is handled. When you compare cover, look closely at those service promises and exclusions, and lean on our broker network to make apples‑to‑apples choices.
Staying with claims, a Queensland family says delays and contractor errors left their house uninhabitable after an insured leak; the insurer acknowledged responsibility and the case is still being worked through. The Code Governance Committee says it will soon release findings on temporary accommodation for vulnerable customers. If youre in a claim, keep a dated log, photos and all emails, ask for updates and any alternate accommodation offers in writing, and if you cant resolve things, remember you can escalate to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA.
Heading overseas, AFCA has also backed a travel insurer that declined costs after a Red Sea cruise was cancelled amid conflict, citing war and violence exclusions. The takeaway: travel policies dont cover every scenario. Before you book, read the product disclosure statement, or PDS, for war, civil unrest and government‑do‑not‑travel exclusions—especially on higher‑risk routes—and compare options that better fit your itinerary.
Meanwhile, embedded insurance is set to pop up even more at online checkout. A local insurtech has raised about $140 million, valuing the firm near $2.7 billion, to push AI‑driven personalisation and faster claims. Convenient, yes—but choice still matters. Compare those embedded offers with standalone policies to check limits, excesses and whats actually covered.
Thats it for this week. For fast, free quotes and expert assessment from independent brokers, visit insuranceonline.com.au.
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.
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Knowledgebase
Loss Ratio: The ratio of claims paid by an insurer to the premiums earned, used as a measure of profitability.
