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: SME cyber insurance premiums are easing and policies are simpler, but uptake remains low. The ACCC pushed its decision on IAGs proposed RAC Insurance takeover to 1 February with remedies on access and pricing in WA. ARPCs annual report shows two terrorism declarations and a busy cyclone season, reinforcing the need to review cover ahead of summer. A life insurance review urges earlier information requests to speed up income protection and TPD claims. Listeners are invited to compare policies and seek broker help at insuranceonline.com.au.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Thursday, 5 November 2026.
First up, cyber insurance for small and medium‑sized enterprises, or SMEs, is getting cheaper and easier to buy. Industry leaders told a federal parliamentary inquiry that premiums have fallen for two straight quarters and insurers are simplifying question sets and baking prevention tools into policies. Yet take‑up among smaller businesses remains low, roughly one in five. If you run a business, consider getting quotes now and ask about built‑in support like incident response and staff training.
Meanwhile, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the ACCC, has extended its review of IAGs proposed takeover of RAC Insurance. A decision is now due by 1 February, after IAG offered remedies including selling certain renewal rights in Western Australia and funding resilience initiatives, plus commitments on access and pricing in the states north. For WA households and businesses, keep an eye on changes next year, but you can still compare cover today to make sure your policy fits your risk and budget.
Next, the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation, or ARPC, says last financial year brought two terrorism declarations and the cyclone pools busiest season with nine events. The pools have now paid more than a billion dollars in claims since 2022, supporting availability and affordability where private markets struggle. With a hot summer forecast, its a good moment to check your home and business policies for cyclone and flood settings, excesses, and any mitigation discounts you might qualify for.
And in life insurance, a new review found delays often occur because insurers ask for key information too late on longer‑running income protection and total and permanent disability claims. The industry body behind the Life Insurance Code says insurers are revising letters, coordinating requests earlier and increasing oversight. When you compare life or income protection, ask how claims are supported and communicated, so you know what to expect if you ever need to claim.
Thats it for this week. For quick, free quotes and help from independent brokers nationwide, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening, and talk to you next week.
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.
Follow us!
We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, resources and information.
A fresh Australian Government vehicle recall for selected Isuzu MY25 trucks is a timely reminder that modern heavy vehicle risk is no longer limited to tyres, brakes, steering, driver behaviour or road conditions. Software faults can also create safety exposures that matter for fleet operations, incident investigations and insurance conversations. - read more
A federal parliamentary inquiry into small business insurance has pushed its reporting timetable into early 2027, extending the wait for recommendations that may shape future debate on affordability, availability and regulation. For Australian tradespeople, the delay matters because the inquiry is examining the commercial insurance lines many small operators rely on daily, including public liability, professional indemnity, cyber risk and business interruption cover. - read more
A new Life Code Compliance Committee inquiry has put fresh attention on the way life insurers manage longer-running income protection insurance and total and permanent disability claims, finding that clearer communication and earlier information requests could reduce avoidable stress for people waiting on claim decisions. - read more
A fresh safety recall affecting 3,710 Isuzu MY25 trucks is a timely reminder that modern truck insurance risk is not only about driver behaviour, road conditions or workshop servicing. Software, trailer systems and electronic braking signals can all become part of the evidence trail if an incident occurs. - read more
Australia’s life insurance sector is moving into a detailed debate over how mental health conditions should be treated in disability-style cover, and the outcome could matter for business owners who rely on insurance to protect income, debt and operational continuity. - read more
As we delve into the digital era, the number of cyber threats that challenge Australian small businesses is significantly on the rise. Cyber attacks have become more sophisticated, frequent, and continue to disrupt the operations of small enterprises, often with devastating consequences. The need to fortify defenses against such threats has never been more paramount. - read more
Remote work has seen a significant rise in Australia, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. More businesses are embracing flexibility, allowing employees to work from home or other remote locations. - read more
Cybersecurity incidents are a growing concern for small businesses. These incidents can have disastrous consequences on the affected businesses and their customers. Cyber insurance policies provide a form of financial protection for small businesses in the event of a cyber-attack. This article will provide an overview of cyber insurance claims and its importance for small business owners. - read more
Cyber Insurance is a type of insurance policy that protects businesses against internet-based risks and threats. This policy covers damages and losses caused by cyber attacks, such as theft of customer information, network downtime, and damage to reputation. - read more
In this digital age, online liabilities have become a crucial concern for individuals and businesses alike. At its core, an online liability refers to the potential risks and responsibilities associated with using the internet. These risks can range from data breaches to financial theft, and they have significant implications in our increasingly connected world. - read more
Knowledgebase
Liability Insurance: A type of insurance that provides protection against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people and/or property.
