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 covers four developments for Australian consumers and SMEs on 8 October 2026: the new law banning life insurers from using genetic test results for new or varied policies, planned Life Insurance Code improvements, a softening commercial insurance market that could deliver better terms for many buyers, research showing long‑lasting impacts on small businesses after disasters and why that heightens the need for robust interruption and catastrophe cover, and claim tips on cash settlements in WA and travel bookings. Listeners are urged to review renewals, compare policies, and ensure cover matches real‑world risks.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Thursday, 8 October 2026.
First up, from today, new federal law bans life insurers from asking for or using your genetic test results when assessing new cover or changes to existing policies. It applies to life, total and permanent disability, trauma and income protection policies, not private health. At the same time, the industry has outlined planned updates to its Life Insurance Code to improve claim handling, clarify mental health wording and strengthen independent oversight next year. If youre updating cover, take a moment to compare options and make sure the policy fits your needs without unnecessary disclosures.
Next up, a fresh market update shows commercial insurance competition has intensified. On average this year, property rates are down by about 10 to 20 per cent, liability down roughly 5 to 15, and directors and officers cover also easing, while cyber prices are drifting lower too. Some classes, like accident and health, remain higher. For businesses, its a good time to review renewals, tighten risk controls and get quotes so youre not overpaying or underinsured.
Meanwhile, new research this week finds small businesses in disaster‑hit regions can still be struggling two years on. Communities affected by major fires, floods or cyclones supported about nine per cent fewer small businesses than otherwise, and in very severe events it was closer to one in five. Thats a reminder to check your business interruption cover, flood and cyclone options where eligible, and that your indemnity period and sums insured reflect real rebuild timelines.
In Western Australias north this week, the national complaints authority cautioned households weighing cash settlements after Cyclone Narelle to make sure offers reflect local labour and material shortages. Before accepting cash, get your own quotes and timeframes so repairs can actually be completed, and remember you can seek an external review if the figure wont put you back to where you were. On travel, a recent ruling also upheld a claim denial where passengers middle names were missing from tickets, so ensure your booking details match your ID—insurance wont fix a booking error.
Thats the wrap. For fast, free quotes and expert support from independent brokers across Australia, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening and Ill see 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
Exclusion: Specific conditions or circumstances for which the insurance policy does not provide coverage.
