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 this weeks most relevant insurance updates for Australians: bushfires in NSW and Tasmania prompt a check on sums insured and temporary accommodation cover; an AFCA decision underscores the need to put policy changes in writing at renewal, especially for flood cover; Queensland keeps WorkCover premiums on hold after a fraud blitz, supporting employer budgets; and cyber insurance shows improving profitability and competition, suggesting SMEs should revisit quotes alongside basic cyber controls. Listeners are invited to compare options and connect with brokers via insuranceonline.com.au.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Thursday, 11 December 2025.
First up, early-summer bushfires in New South Wales and Tasmania have destroyed dozens of homes and damaged many more, with disaster support now flowing and insurers on the ground helping affected families. For homeowners and landlords across the country, this is a reminder to check that your sum insured reflects current rebuild costs and that your policy covers temporary accommodation. Keep an inventory and store documents digitally, and if youre unsure about bushfire inclusions, compare options and speak with a broker so youre not underinsured.
Next, a recent ruling from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, shows how crucial clear instructions are at renewal. A customer who verbally opted out of flood cover during the year couldnt get a refund when the cover re‑appeared at renewal because the policy required written confirmation. The simple fix is to put changes in writing and always review your renewal notice. If youre weighing up flood cover versus cost, get fresh quotes and make an informed choice.
Meanwhile in Queensland, WorkCover premiums are being kept on hold after a crackdown on fraudulent claims. Stable pricing is welcome news for employers budgeting for 2026, but it also highlights the need to keep wages declarations accurate and safety practices tight. If you run a business in any state, make sure your workers compensation and liability covers line up with your actual risks; a broker can help you compare quickly and avoid gaps.
And cyber cover is showing signs of health, with the prudential regulator reporting a profitable quarter and analysts noting more market capacity and sharper competition. Take‑up among mid‑market firms is improving, but many small businesses still go without protection even as scams and ransomware keep rising. If youve been priced out before, its worth revisiting quotes now and pairing a policy with simple controls like multi‑factor logins and regular backups.
Thats it for this week. For fast, free quotes and access to independent brokers nationwide, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening, and stay covered.
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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