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 four Australian insurance stories for 10 September 2026: a Federal Court ruling against a comparison site for misleading insurer panels; calls to reform NSWs Emergency Services Levy amid surging construction costs; concerns from IBCCC and AFCA about broker commission disclosure for small businesses; and a Queensland trial of a home resilience rating app that could influence pricing. Takeaways: verify whos compared and how theyre paid, review sums insured in NSW, request a dollar breakdown of broker remuneration, and consider resilience upgrades. Visit insuranceonline.com.au for free quotes and broker support.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Thursday, 10 September 2026.
First, a court decision that matters if you compare policies online. The Federal Court found a major comparison site misled consumers about how many life and funeral insurers it actually compared. For listeners, the message is simple: when you compare insurance online, check which insurers are included and how the site is paid, and ask for the full panel in writing. If youd like independent help, our Australia‑wide brokers can source options and explain the differences so you can compare like‑for‑like without the guesswork.
Next up, the Emergency Services Levy in New South Wales is back in the spotlight. Industry leaders told a state inquiry on Tuesday that rising construction costs are pushing premiums higher, and the levy stacked on top could push some households and small businesses out of cover. If youre in NSW, review your sum insured now and talk to a broker about ways to keep essential cover while avoiding underinsurance as policy costs change.
Meanwhile, transparency for small business buyers is under review. The Insurance Brokers Code Compliance Committee and the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, have warned MPs that the draft brokers code may not require enough disclosure about how brokers are paid. If you run a business, ask your broker for a clear, dollar‑value breakdown of commissions and fees before you decide. It takes minutes and helps you compare providers on service and value, not just premium.
And finally, a practical development for homeowners in Queensland. A new trial on the Gold Coast is testing a self‑assessment app from the Resilient Building Council that rates how a home stands up to flood, storm, cyclone and bushfire. The idea is to recognise upgrades with a standard resilience rating, which some insurers already use for bushfire pricing, with flood and storm to follow. If youre in a hazard‑prone area, simple upgrades like securing roofs, clearing gutters and improving drainage can boost your rating and expand your cover options.
Thats it for this week. For fast, free personal and business insurance quotes, and expert support from independent brokers, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori, and Ill see you next week.
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.
