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:
Weekly wrap for 5 March 2026: ASIC alleges a major insurer misled customers over online discounts lost after mid‑term changes; ICA reminds travellers that war and “do not travel” advisories often trigger travel insurance exclusions; AFCA reports a surge in general insurance complaints, led by motor claims; and a major life insurer develops a digital platform to simplify mental‑health income protection claims. Takeaways: recheck discounts after policy changes, scrutinise travel cover, use expert help if a claim stalls, and review income protection settings—especially for the self‑employed.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with me, Paige Estritori, on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
First, the corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, has taken action over how discounts were applied on some policies. It alleges a major insurer didnt clearly tell customers that an online discount could vanish if they changed details during the first year, affecting about forty thousand instances and around $3.3 million in total. The company says impacted customers have been compensated with interest. Why this matters: if you update a car, home or motorcycle policy mid‑term, double‑check whether any discount still applies. For a cleaner comparison at renewal or after changes, get fast, free quotes and broker support so youre not paying more than you expect.
Next up, travel disruption from the conflict in the Middle East has sparked a reminder from the Insurance Council of Australia. Travel insurance generally excludes losses from war and armed conflict, and government “do not travel” advisories can also trigger exclusions. Some “cancel for any reason”‑style upgrades wont respond if you physically cant travel to an affected area. If youve got flights routed through major hubs, talk to your insurer or a broker before you rebook, and check your policy wording line by line.
Meanwhile, complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority jumped again last year, with general insurance disputes up about twenty per cent. Motor claims led the rise, driven by delays and parts shortages, with home and consumer credit insurance also elevated. The message for households and small businesses: keep clear records, respond quickly to requests, and lean on expert help if a claim stalls. A good broker can push for updates and help you compare alternatives at renewal to avoid repeat issues.
And for those considering income protection, especially if youre self‑employed, theres movement on mental health claims support. One of Australias largest life insurers is co‑developing a digital platform with university and health partners to simplify and better time support during the claim journey. With mental‑health‑related payouts topping about $2.2 billion in 2024, clearer pathways could make the claims process less stressful. If income stability matters to you, review waiting periods and definitions, and compare options to match your work and cash‑flow needs.
Thats it for this week. For quick, free quotes and expert comparisons across personal and business cover, 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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