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:
This week: NSW pressure mounts to scrap the Emergency Services Levy on insurance premiums; AFCA logs a record year of complaints driven by claim delays and rejections; SMEs say risk‑mitigation isnt being rewarded in premiums; and NSWs regulator releases a guide to workers comp reforms. Action points: review levies on your renewal, document your risk improvements, read your PDS, and consider broker support to compare options and navigate claims.
Welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori for Thursday, 6 August 2026.
First up, New South Wales is back in the spotlight as a coalition of business, consumer, community and industry groups urges all parties to commit to scrapping the Emergency Services Levy, or ESL, before the next state election. The ESL is added to insurance premiums to fund emergency services and is often blamed for pushing up costs. A shift to a property‑based model is being examined but no change is locked in yet. For now, check your renewal for levies and duties, compare options, and lean on a broker to balance price and cover.
Next, complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, hit a new record over the year to June. Claim rejections and delays dominated, with car insurance among the most disputed products. This points to capacity strains and patchy communication in claims. Keep thorough records, lodge early, read your product disclosure statement, and consider broker support if a claim stalls.
Meanwhile, small businesses told a federal inquiry their risk‑mitigation work—think flood doors, alarms and stronger roofs—hasnt reliably translated into premium relief, calling it a market failing. That matters because better risk should be recognised in pricing over time. If youve invested in resilience, document it, share evidence at renewal, and shop around; different insurers rate improvements differently, and updated data can unlock sharper quotes.
And in workers compensation, NSWs State Insurance Regulatory Authority, or SIRA, has released a new guide to recent scheme reforms. Its designed to help employers understand obligations as changes roll out. If you employ staff in NSW, take a quick look and check your policy settings and injury management steps; a specialist broker can help if anythings unclear.
Thats it for today. For fast, free quotes and expert help comparing personal and business cover, visit insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening.
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
Double Indemnity: A clause or provision in a life insurance policy that doubles the payout in cases of accidental death.
