Income Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Medical Professional Coverage Costs Under Scrutiny

Medical Professional Coverage Costs Under Scrutiny

Medical Professional Coverage Costs Under Scrutiny?w=400

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.

Amid rising concerns, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has flagged the escalating expenses associated with indemnity insurance premiums as a serious issue that demands attention.

Following a heated discussion at a recent national conference held on the Gold Coast, the AMA and its New South Wales branch convened with a number of medical defence organisations to tackle this pressing matter.

During these meetings, participants delved into changes in healthcare delivery and the evolving scopes of medical practice—factors contributing significantly to the rising costs within the medical indemnity sector.

According to a statement published on the AMA’s website, the Medical Defence Organisations (MDOs), which largely operate as member-based mutual entities, acknowledged the industry's growing unease. They shared global insurance market trends and emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication and collaborative efforts with the AMA to address systemic policy issues. Despite the need for cooperation, the constraints of competition law were noted as a limiting factor.

The organizations represented at the meeting included key industry players such as Avant, MDA National, Medical Indemnity Protection Society, MIGA, and Tego.

In its latest report, Avant informed Insurance News that their average rate increments have managed to remain below inflation for several renewal periods. Nevertheless, certain specialized fields have experienced sharp double-digit rate hikes due to specific claim frequencies and severities, affecting less than 1% of their membership.

Published:Wednesday, 4th Sep 2024
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:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

Why roadworthiness checks are an insurance issue for truck operators
Why roadworthiness checks are an insurance issue for truck operators
20 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Recent transport industry coverage has again highlighted regulator attention on heavy vehicle roadworthiness, with roadside checks, defect management and maintenance systems remaining central safety themes for Australian operators. For trucking businesses, the message is not limited to avoiding fines or delays. Roadworthiness can also influence how insurers view risk, how smoothly a claim progresses and whether policy conditions have been met after an incident. - read more
Silica Safety Scrutiny Raises Fresh Cover Questions for Tradies
Silica Safety Scrutiny Raises Fresh Cover Questions for Tradies
20 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia’s engineered stone ban and continuing regulator focus on silica exposure are more than a workplace safety issue for builders, renovators, tilers, stonemasons, plumbers, electricians and demolition contractors. They also create a practical insurance checkpoint for any trade business that cuts, drills, grinds, removes or works around dust-generating materials. - read more
Rising Repair Costs Put Fresh Pressure on Truck Operators
Rising Repair Costs Put Fresh Pressure on Truck Operators
20 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh motor insurance commentary across the Australian market is again pointing to a practical issue truck operators know well: repairing vehicles is becoming more complex, more expensive and, in some cases, slower. For heavy vehicle businesses, this is not just a workshop problem. It can influence claim outcomes, renewal pricing, excess settings and the amount of time a truck is off the road after an incident. - read more
Why Claims Disputes Should Prompt a Farm Insurance Review
Why Claims Disputes Should Prompt a Farm Insurance Review
19 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Recent complaints data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority has again highlighted a pressure point that matters to rural Australia: insurance claims can become difficult when expectations, policy wording and evidence do not line up. While the figures cover the wider insurance market rather than farms alone, the themes are highly relevant for agricultural businesses dealing with storm damage, fire losses, machinery failures, fencing repairs or interrupted operations. - read more
Compensation Rules Put Professional Indemnity Cover Back in Focus
Compensation Rules Put Professional Indemnity Cover Back in Focus
19 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh industry attention on ASIC's expectations for compensation arrangements is a timely reminder that professional indemnity insurance should not be treated as a once-a-year renewal task. For Australian professionals who provide advice, compliance support, financial services, consulting, design, technology or outsourced business services, the adequacy of cover depends on how closely the policy matches the work actually being performed. - read more


Life Insurance Articles

Income Safety Net: How to Choose the Right Income Protection for Your Lifestyle
Income Safety Net: How to Choose the Right Income Protection for Your Lifestyle
In the face of life's unpredictable twists and turns, few things are as disconcerting as the possibility of suddenly losing your ability to earn an income due to illness. Such events are often unexpected and can have significant financial repercussions that interrupt not only your flow of daily life but also compromise your future plans. - read more
Finding Accidental Coverage When Comprehensive Income Protection Isn't an Option
Finding Accidental Coverage When Comprehensive Income Protection Isn't an Option
Income protection is an integral part of maintaining your financial security, especially in the event that unforeseen illnesses or injuries prevent you from working. Enabling you to receive a percentage of your regular income, this type of insurance provides a safety net, ensuring that you can continue to cover your living expenses and financial obligations whilst recovering. - read more
From Illness to Injury: Understanding the Scope of Income Protection Insurance
From Illness to Injury: Understanding the Scope of Income Protection Insurance
In the uncertain times we face today, where both health and economic climates are unpredictable, safeguarding your financial stability becomes paramount. This is where income protection insurance steps in as an essential safety net. For many Australian families, it's the buffer that ensures life's financial commitments are met, even when ability to work is compromised. - read more
How to Compare Income Protection Policies When You Have a Medical History
How to Compare Income Protection Policies When You Have a Medical History
In today's ever-changing world, financial security is a cornerstone of peace of mind, particularly for Australians grappling with medical histories. Income protection insurance emerges as a pivotal solution, safeguarding not only the individual’s fiscal health but the well-being of their dependents. This introduction explores the nuances of income protection insurance and its particular significance for those with pre-existing medical conditions. - read more
Deciphering Your Policy: A Beginner's Guide to Insurance Terminology
Deciphering Your Policy: A Beginner's Guide to Insurance Terminology
Welcome to the world of insurance – a domain where words like 'deductible' and 'premium' can significantly impact your financial protection and peace of mind. As a beginner, grasping the basics of insurance terminology is the first step towards making informed decisions about the policies that safeguard your assets and future. In this guide, we will embark on a journey through the language of insurance, which can often seem as complex as the policies themselves. - read more

Knowledgebase
Loss Ratio:
The ratio of claims paid by an insurer to the premiums earned, used as a measure of profitability.