We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, tips, tricks, resources and information.
This downward trend is believed to be partially due to legislative changes, specifically citing the Protecting Your Super package, which significantly reduced the instances of automatic coverage in certain superannuation accounts. These regulations were aimed at safeguarding the super funds of Australians from unnecessary erosion due to fees and insurance premiums, particularly in cases of low balance and inactive super accounts.
Data gleaned from industry body Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) shines a light on the residual under-insurance issue, suggesting that approximately 3.4 million citizens fail to maintain adequate income protection coverage for basic livelihood necessities, suggesting an undercurrent of financial vulnerability in the populace.
The landscape of the life insurance sector has also undergone significant consolidation in recent years. The current market comprises 24 life insurers, seven of which are onshore reinsurers, and 10 friendly societies. This is a reduction from the 29 insurers and 12 friendly societies active in 2018, leading to a more concentrated market environment.
Although the industry has faced challenges, there have been positive shifts making the market more appealing for insurers and insureds alike. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) instigated crucial capital modifications, changes were implemented regarding income protection products, and a substantial surge in the price of current income protection products was observed. Adding to this landscape, there was noteworthy industry data suggesting stabilization in the migration away from financial advisement as adviser numbers began to level out.
Encouragingly, due to industry adaptation and increased adviser productivity, there has been an upswing in new business acquisitions over three consecutive quarters. This rejuvenation brings renewed optimism as what some are calling an "inflection point", hinting at a trajectory of growth and recovery for the life insurance market moving forward.
As financial landscapes evolve, the coming years will be critical in assessing whether these trends will continue to affect the levels of life and income protection insurance coverage across Australia, and whether current industry adaptations will suffice to close the gap in under-insurance among Australians.
Published:Friday, 19th Apr 2024
Source: Paige Estritori
| Marine Insurance Leader Club Marine Welcomes New CEO 07 May 2024: .Paige Estritori In a notable shift in its leadership ranks, Club Marine, a key player in the marine insurance market and subsidiary of Allianz, has officially instated Tim Wiles as its Chief Executive Officer. Wiles, having confidently steered the company since last November as interim CEO, has now been entrusted with the permanent leadership mantle. - read more |
| NSW Review Sheds Light on Strata Sector Transparency 06 May 2024: .Paige Estritori The NSW state government has initiated a deep dive into the operations of a leading strata management firm. This move underscores a growing tide of demand for increased clarity and fairness in the industry. Responding to mounting public scrutiny, this investigation sets a new precedent in the regulation of property management entities. - read more |
| Lifetime Financial Services Ban Upheld for Misconduct 03 May 2024: .Paige Estritori The financial industry has affirmed its commitment to integrity as a former insurance broker, convicted of defrauding clients, failed to overturn a lifetime ban on his financial services activities. Initially penalized for siphoning off clients’ insurance premiums for his own use, the advisor sought leniency to no avail. - read more |
| Bellrock Enhances Advisory Services to Support Business Deals 03 May 2024: .Paige Estritori Bellrock has announced an expansion of its suite of services to encompass support for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as well as contingent risks. The enhancement of these services comes amid an expected increase in M&A activities, demanding more specialized and creative risk management solutions. - read more |
| Insurance Claim Denied Due to Undisclosed Conviction 02 May 2024: .Paige Estritori An insurance policyholder recently experienced the repercussions of non-disclosure after his claim was rejected by an insurer upon the discovery of an undisclosed traffic conviction. The undisclosed criminal traffic offense led to repercussions from both the insurer and a financial authority, serving as a cautionary example for transparency in insurance agreements. - read more |
| Adapting to Change: How Australian Farms Can Thrive Amidst Climate Shifts Australia's agricultural sector stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of its farmers. Yet, this stalwart industry faces one of its greatest challenges: climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, and extreme events, from droughts to floods, are now common hurdles on the landscape of Australian farming. - read more
|
| Understanding Machinery Breakdown Insurance for Australian Farms Welcome to our in-depth exploration of Machinery Breakdown Insurance—a safety net that's becoming increasingly important for the modern Australian farmer. Whether you're involved in cropping, dairy, or livestock, your equipment is the backbone of your operation. As farming technology evolves, the machinery becomes more sophisticated, and unfortunately, the more complex a system is, the more that can go wrong. This is where Machinery Breakdown Insurance comes into play. - read more
|
| Understanding the Coverage: What Your Farm Insurance Should Include The serene morning mists settling over green pastures and the peaceful clucking of poultry might paint an idyllic picture of farm life, but seasoned farmers know that this lifestyle comes with its own set of risks and uncertainties. In the world of agriculture, each new day could bring events that threaten your way of life and the heart of your business. This is where farm insurance becomes not just important, but essential. - read more
|
| Safeguarding Your Harvest: The Importance of Crop Insurance In the ever-unpredictable world of farming, crop insurance emerges as a pivotal ally for farmers, hedging against the myriad of risks that come with cultivating the land. As the first step to understanding this crucial safeguard, let's unfold the question: What is crop insurance, exactly? In essence, crop insurance is a type of cover designed to cushion farmers from financial losses due to unavoidable circumstances such as adverse weather conditions, pests, disease, or even market fluctuations. - read more
|
| New Technologies in Crop Protection: How Precision Agriculture Enhances Insurance Coverage For generations, farmers have faced the challenge of protecting their crops from an array of threats, such as pests, diseases, and extreme weather. Traditional crop protection strategies have relied heavily on blanket approaches, as in using widespread pesticide application, or generalized irrigation systems, regardless of the varying needs across a field. While these methods have had their successes, they also come with limitations in efficiency, environmental impact, and the precision needed for optimal crop health and yield. - read more
|