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:
Weekly update for 26 February 2026: Home insurance premiums are up about 50% in five years, with resilience upgrades helping some owners. Draft unfair trading laws target dodgy crash‑chasing claims operators, urging customers to verify who they deal with. A pause on National Construction Code reforms could keep communities exposed to severe weather and pressure premiums, so new builds should prioritise resilience. In life insurance, Zurichs proposed acquisition of ClearView may bring changes; policyholders should review cover at renewal and compare options.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with me, Paige Estritori, on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
First up, home insurance costs keep climbing. Independent analysis shows premiums are up by about fifty per cent over five years, driven by more extreme weather and higher rebuild costs. Some high‑risk properties are getting eye‑watering quotes, while resilience upgrades can help bring costs back down. If your renewal is due, compare cover carefully, ask about any discounts for mitigation work, and for businesses, check your disaster plan and business interruption limits.
Next up, the federal governments draft unfair trading laws aim to stamp out dodgy claims operators that chase crash victims. These are the credit‑hire and accident‑management outfits that can impersonate your insurer, add fees, and pursue you later. Under the proposal, regulators would gain fresh powers to act against unfair conduct. If youre contacted after a smash, verify who youre dealing with, speak to your insurer or broker first, and keep everything in writing.
Meanwhile, a pause on National Construction Code updates risks keeping communities exposed to severe weather for longer, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. Less resilience in new builds ultimately means more damage and pressure on premiums, especially in flood, cyclone and bushfire zones. If youre building or renovating, ask your designer and builder about stronger standards and hazard‑aware siting. Investing in resilience can help premiums and the availability of cover over time.
And finally, life insurance is set for more consolidation, with a proposal for Zurich to acquire ClearView. A shareholder vote is slated for mid‑year, and any product or service changes would roll out over time. If you hold life or income protection with ClearView, watch for official notices and review your policy at renewal. If anything changes, compare options and speak with a broker to keep cover aligned to your needs.
Thats it for this week. For fast, free quotes and expert broker support to compare personal and business insurance, visit insuranceonline.com.au.
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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