Insurance Brokers Challenge Opposition’s Divestment Strategy

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.

As noted by insurtech pioneer Scott Norton, whose alternatives have gained traction, the real issue lies in inadequate disaster preparedness. According to broker Petara Tanuvasa, premium increases are driven by insufficient measures like flood defences and firebreaks. These gaps lead insurers to elevate premiums to offset rising claims. Taxes further burden consumers, with levies such as GST, stamp duties, and fire service contributions inflating costs more.

Stacy Finnegan, COO of RepX, backed Norton’s viewpoint and stressed that local governments play a critical role in reducing home insurance claims. Enforcing building standards, avoiding development in risk-prone areas, and incorporating flood and fire-resistant requirements are crucial steps. "We stand united against severe weather patterns that heighten market volatility, instead of targeting the industry unfairly," she commented.

Additionally, some industry voices, like Tasmanian broker Greg Lewer, suggest that the real financial burdens come from other sectors. Lewer highlights the disparity between insurance and bank profits, noting that while 85 insurers collectively earned $5.9 billion last year, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia alone garnered $5.1 billion in half that time.

Given the challenges, industry stakeholders believe addressing fundamental issues rather than resorting to divestment is vital for achieving sustainable premium reductions and fostering healthy market competition.

As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen whether policymakers will shift focus towards holistic solutions that encompass broader economic and environmental strategies, addressing taxes, disaster mitigation, and proactive local governance.

Published:Thursday, 6th Mar 2025
Author: Paige Estritori

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.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Clear

Why Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Need Extra Attention Before You Travel

28 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian travellers with pre-existing medical conditions have been given a timely reminder to look beyond price when arranging travel insurance, with recently updated consumer guidance placing renewed emphasis on disclosure, medical assessments and policy wording. - read more

What Delta’s Digital Insurance Move Means for Real Estate Agencies

28 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Delta Insurance’s move onto Ebix Australia’s Sunrise Exchange is a useful signal for real estate agencies watching how business insurance is being distributed. The underwriting agency has made its cyber and management liability products available through the platform for the first time, using Entsia technology and an accelerated accreditation pathway. Further products are expected to follow, which points to continuing momentum behind digital placement for financial lines cover. - read more

What a Failed Fridge Claim Means for Restaurant Insurance

28 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent insurance dispute involving a faulty vaccine fridge has a useful warning for Australian restaurant and café owners: a broken fridge is not always enough to secure a payout. In the case, reported on 26 June 2026, a business policyholder argued that a refrigeration unit had moved outside the required temperature range and could not be restored through resets. The owner believed an internal control component had failed and sought cover under an equipment failure section of the policy. - read more

Vero’s No-Commission Strata Launch Adds Fresh Pressure to a Changing Market

28 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Vero has entered the residential strata market with a nil-commission product aimed at addressing some of the placement challenges facing owners corporations, particularly in higher-risk regions. The product will initially be available through intermediaries in Far North Queensland and Darwin, with a broader national rollout planned in stages. - read more

Tool Theft Claim Falls Short After Portable Items Limit Applied

28 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent Australian Financial Complaints Authority decision is a timely reminder for tradies that the words in a policy schedule can matter just as much as the headline sum insured. The dispute involved a business that had tools and a trailer stolen from a worksite, then challenged the insurer’s payout after receiving far less than it believed the policy should provide. - read more

Click for more Insurance News