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: calls for civil liability reform and fairer procurement rules as a federal inquiry probes small business insurance; cyber insurance remains buyer‑friendly but may tighten as AI‑enabled threats grow; disaster assistance follows major flooding in Katherine with Queensland on alert; and an AFCA ruling highlights consumers rights in disputed flood claims. Practical tips focus on right‑sizing SME cover, locking in cyber terms while improving controls, checking flood definitions and sums insured, and using brokers to compare options and support claims.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori for Thursday, 12 March 2026.
First up, small business insurance is under the microscope. A federal inquiry is hearing that outdated civil liability laws, legal costs and red tape are pushing up premiums for SMEs, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. Outdoor recreation and tourism groups also told the inquiry that blunt underwriting and excessive liability limits are squeezing viable operators. If you run a business, nows a smart time to review your public liability and professional indemnity needs, push back on contract clauses that force unnecessary cover, and compare options with an independent broker so youre not over‑insuring.
Next up, cyber insurance still leans in favour of buyers, but the tide is starting to turn. Brokers report competitive pricing and broad cover remain available, yet AI‑enabled scams and ransomware are rising and some terms are tightening for higher‑risk sectors. The practical move is to lock in cover while conditions are friendly, and make sure your controls—like multi‑factor authentication, back‑ups and staff training—are in place, because stronger security can help you access better terms when you compare policies online.
Meanwhile, major flooding has hit Katherine in the Northern Territory, with disaster assistance activated, and parts of Queensland on alert after heavy monsoonal rain, the Bureau of Meteorology says. If youre in or near affected areas, check how your policy defines flood, confirm waiting periods, and make sure your building, contents or business interruption sums insured are realistic. Keep photos and receipts handy, and contact your insurer or broker early to streamline any claim.
And a reminder about claims rights. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, has ordered an insurer to pay more than eighty‑nine thousand dollars to a car owner after rejecting a flood damage claim based on disputed water testing. The decision shows clear records and a consistent account can carry weight if a claim is knocked back. If something doesnt add up, seek help and, if needed, escalate—support through a broker can make that process far less stressful.
Thats it for this week. For fast, free personal and business insurance quotes, easy comparisons, and expert support across Australia, head to 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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