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:
Paige Estritori breaks down this weeks Australian insurance news: a spring bushfire outlook flags higher risk in parts of Victoria, Tasmania and NSW; AFCA reminds insurers to decide claims within four months and resolve simple claims faster; research shows flood cover take‑up in northern Australia is patchy, especially in extreme‑risk zones; and a hotel chains data breach highlights third‑party cyber risks for businesses. Listeners are urged to review cover, clarify flood definitions, tighten cyber controls, and use brokers to compare policies and manage claims. Visit insuranceonline.com.au for fast, free quotes.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori, its Thursday, 20 August 2026.
First up, the spring bushfire outlook points to heightened risk in parts of Victorias Gippsland, eastern Tasmania and sections of New South Wales. If you live or run a business in these areas, take a moment to check your home or commercial property cover includes bushfire, review your sums insured, and update asset lists. Clearing gutters and trimming vegetation helps, and so does knowing your excesses and temporary‑accommodation or business‑interruption limits. If youre unsure, you can compare options quickly and get broker support to avoid underinsurance.
Meanwhile, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, has issued fresh guidance on claims handling with new case studies. It reminds insurers that a decision should be made within four months, and that straightforward claims should be resolved faster. For you, that means lodge clear documents early, keep a simple timeline of conversations, and if delays drag on, ask your broker to escalate. The right help can save you time and reduce stress.
On flood risk, new research linked to the cyclone reinsurance pool shows flood cover take‑up in northern Australia is around two‑thirds, but falls to about one in three in the most exposed areas. Many households and small businesses still assume theyre covered when theyre not, or they misunderstand what “flood” actually means under their policy. Ask whether riverine flood and stormwater are both included, check any waiting periods, and compare policies side by side. A quick review now can prevent a costly gap later.
And cyber threats are back in focus after a major hotel chain reported a customer data breach traced to a third‑party provider this week. Its a reminder that even well‑run brands can be tripped up by vendor risks, and small businesses are targets too. Consider cyber insurance that includes incident response and social‑engineering cover, and tighten basics like multi‑factor authentication, strong passwords and staff training. If you take payments or store personal data, put this on your to‑do list today.
Thats the wrap. For fast, free personal and business insurance quotes with Australia‑wide broker support, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening and Ill catch 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.
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Knowledgebase
Income Insurance: Insures your income in the event of you being unable to work due to sickness or accident.
