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: ASIC opens consultation on a tougher, enforceable General Insurance Code of Practice; the ACCCs preliminary view challenges the public benefits of IAGs proposed RAC Insurance acquisition in WA; Australias cyber incidents rise about 20% as AI speeds up attacks; and surveys show households underestimate flood risk while North Queenslanders struggle with affordability. Practical tips: weigh claims service as well as price, watch market competition in WA, tighten cyber basics and consider cover, and check how your policy defines flood.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News with Paige Estritori for Thursday, 12 November 2026.
First, the corporate regulator has opened public consultation on the redrafted General Insurance Code of Practice. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC, is taking feedback until 23 December. The code would be contractually enforceable and tightens standards around claims handling, support for vulnerable customers, family‑violence protections, and the use of expert reports. If youre comparing policies, look at how each insurer explains claims timeframes and support—those service promises matter alongside price.
Meanwhile, the competition watchdog has delivered a preliminary view on a major deal in Western Australia. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, or ACCC, says the public benefits of IAGs proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance appear overstated and may not outweigh the downsides. IAG has until 1 December to respond, with a final decision due by 1 February. For WA home and motor customers, that means no immediate change—but its worth keeping an eye on market choice in your postcode as this progresses.
On cyber, Australias threat picture worsened last financial year. The Australian Signals Directorates Cyber Security Centre reported about a 20 per cent rise in incidents, with more than 1,500 cases handled, and notifications to organisations jumping sharply. Attackers are using artificial intelligence to speed up impersonation and credential theft. For small businesses, thats a prompt to review basics like patching and multi‑factor authentication and to consider cyber cover limits that reflect todays risks; a broker can help you compare options without over‑ or under‑insuring.
Finally, new research suggests many households underestimate flood exposure. While more than two million homes face some level of flood risk, most respondents thought the number was much lower, and many were reluctant to pay higher premiums to support high‑risk communities. In North Queensland, a council survey found residents feeling “penalised” by postcode, with some reducing cover or lifting excesses to cope. If you live near rivers, creeks or low‑lying coast, check how flood is defined in your policy and get a fresh quote that matches your propertys actual risk and mitigation work.
Thats it for this week. For fast, free quotes and access to independent brokers nationwide, head to insuranceonline.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—thanks for listening, and speak to 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
Insurance Underwriter: An insurance company, a financial institution that sells insurance.
