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:
Brisbanes hailstorm triggers more than 11,000 insurance claims and a significant-event response. Commercial insurance rates keep easing, giving SMEs a chance to re‑shop cover. AFCA orders a higher payout in a clinic flood dispute, highlighting documentation and expert assessment. A new study shows flood risk is knocking about $42b off home values, reinforcing the need to check flood cover and sums insured. Presenter: Paige Estritori.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori, for Thursday 30 October 2025.
First, Brisbanes weekend hailstorm has been labelled a significant event by the industry, with more than eleven thousand claims lodged so far. Power and clean‑up crews have been flat out, and more storms are possible. If you were hit, take photos before repairs, keep receipts, and lodge your car, home or business claim promptly. If youre unsure what your policy covers, compare options and talk to a broker so you dont end up underinsured next time.
Next up, commercial insurance premiums are easing again. Market analysts say theres so much new capital that rates have fallen for a seventh straight quarter. Thats good news for small and mid‑sized businesses. Its a smart moment to re‑shop your liability, property and cyber cover, and ask a broker to remarket your policies so you keep essential protections while trimming costs.
Meanwhile, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, has told an insurer to lift a payout to a dental clinic after a burst flexi‑hose led to flooding. AFCA criticised both sides for a lack of readiness and told the insurer to work with experts to assess damage properly. For any business, the lesson is simple: document everything early, keep maintenance records, and get independent reports if needed. If a dispute drags on, you can escalate to AFCA.
And a new analysis estimates homes in flood zones are collectively worth about forty‑two billion dollars less than if there were no flood risk. That gap reflects ongoing affordability pressure and risk‑based pricing. If you live near rivers or creeks, check that flood is included, confirm your rebuild sum reflects todays costs, and ask about mitigation discounts. Comparing policies side by side can save money and prevent nasty surprises at claim time.
Thats it for this week. For free, fast personal and business insurance quotes, with access to independent brokers nationwide and help comparing cover, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori — thanks for listening, and stay safe out there.
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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