Financial Sectors Grapple With High Reporting of Breaches
Financial Sectors Grapple With High Reporting of Breaches
2
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.
The landscape of financial services in Australia is facing challenges as recent disclosures highlight the magnitude of self-reported compliance breaches across industries.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) report for the last financial year has revealed that the insurance sector reported the second-highest number of breaches.
Leading the ranks, the credit industry saw 31% of the total reported breaches, as stipulated in ASIC's annual disclosure. This was closely followed by the general insurance industry, which contributed 25%. The report aggregates data from financial services and credit licensees to provide insights into these trends.
According to statistics gathered by the licensees, there were 12,298 notifications submitted within the financial year. Of these, a striking 79% have impacted customers in financial or non-financial terms. This indicates a significant area of concern for industries striving to maintain customer trust and regulatory compliance.
Compensation figures reflect the repercussions of these breaches. By June 30, approximately $92.1 million had been distributed in compensation, affecting an estimated 494,000 clients. Such financial redress stresses the importance of organizational commitments to rectify and preempt future errors.
Diving into product-specific breaches, motor vehicle insurance emerged as a noteworthy sector with 1,935 incidents, succeeded by home contents insurance at 881, and home building insurance at 865 breaches. Home loans led the product breach category with 2,401 incidents, pointing towards critical areas for regulatory focus and improvement.
Initiated in October 2021, the reportable situations regime-previously termed breach reporting-mandates licensees to inform ASIC of any significant obligations' breaches. This includes suspected misconduct or investigations regarding core compliance failures, aiming to bolster transparency and accountability.
The original report and its detailed findings were highlighted by insuranceNEWS.com.au, offering stakeholders a crucial tool to assess and address these revelations. This underscores the importance of innovation in risk management practices across the industry to curtail future breach incidences.
Published:Thursday, 7th Nov 2024 Source: Paige Estritori
Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.
Australian Food Super has announced a transition to age-based pricing for its insurance offerings, a move that will see premium costs vary according to members' age brackets. Effective November 1, 2025, this change aims to align insurance costs more closely with the risk profiles associated with different age groups. - read more
Recent research from Rainmaker Information indicates a significant decrease in life and income protection insurance premiums across Australia. Direct life premiums have fallen by 7% since 2024, while direct income protection premiums have seen reductions of 12% and 13% for policies with 30-day and 90-day waiting periods, respectively. - read more
The global insurtech sector experienced a notable downturn in funding during the fourth quarter of 2024, with total investments halving to $US688.24 million compared to the previous quarter. This decline marks the lowest annual funding level since 2018, according to data from Gallagher Re. - read more
The Australian general insurance industry is on a trajectory for substantial growth, with direct written premiums (DWP) projected to exceed $144 billion by 2029. This forecast, provided by data and analytics firm GlobalData, reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) driven by increasing demand for coverage in response to the rising frequency of natural disasters. - read more
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has identified significant deficiencies in the complaints handling processes of several insurers, prompting calls for immediate improvements. A recent review revealed that insurers failed to recognize one in six customer complaints, neglected to identify systemic issues, and frequently missed communication deadlines. - read more
Income protection insurance is a type of personal insurance that provides financial support if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. It ensures that you continue to receive a portion of your income, helping you manage daily expenses and financial commitments during recovery. - read more
Financial protection is an essential aspect of sound financial planning. It ensures that you and your family are safeguarded against unexpected events that could lead to financial hardship. Two common types of financial protection are income protection insurance and life insurance. - read more
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
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
Financial security is crucial in today's unpredictable world, where unexpected events can disrupt the stability and comfort of our daily lives. For Australians, protecting one's income and lifestyle from unforeseen circumstances is a key component of personal finance. - read more
Knowledgebase
Term Life Insurance: A type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specified period, such as 10 or 20 years.