Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums
Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums
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.
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has called for urgent action to address the factors driving the significant rise in motor insurance premiums.
In a detailed policy paper, the ICA has outlined a strategic plan, urging government intervention to address key issues like labour shortages, supply chain disruptions, and inefficiencies in accident management practices.
This call to action follows a striking 42% increase in comprehensive motor insurance premiums since 2019, with the average premium now reaching $1052 annually. The underlying cause is attributed to escalating input costs that have outpaced compensatory measures by insurers. These rising costs have also led to a decline in insurer profitability, as evidenced by the increase in claims costs ratio from 89% to 94% over the past six years.
Andrew Hall, CEO of the ICA, emphasized the industry's commitment to cutting expenses through various internal measures like optimizing operations and enhancing the repair workforce's skills. However, he points out that many cost drivers extend beyond the insurance industry's control, necessitating decisive government-led reforms.
The proposed reforms by the ICA aim to tackle multiple areas:
Alleviating skills shortages in motor trades by expanding skilled migration pathways, increasing investment in training for electric vehicle repairs, and boosting apprenticeship completion rates.
Enhancing the automotive supply chain’s resilience by ensuring independent repairers have access to essential parts and obligating manufacturers to guarantee part availability.
Regulating credit hire and accident management companies to protect consumers from misleading practices and inflated prices.
Implementing regulations on towing and storage fees, following Queensland's model to cap excessive charges and effectively enforcing reforms like WA’s Towing Services Bill 2024.
Strengthening efforts to combat insurance fraud by improving collaboration between insurers and law enforcement and enhancing fraud detection initiatives.
Revising written-off vehicle rules in NSW to allow repairable vehicles to be re-registered after passing stringent safety checks, aligning them with practices in other states.
The ICA's proposed roadmap highlights necessary steps to streamline processes, eliminate systemic inefficiencies, and deliver fairer costs across the insurance landscape, thereby relieving pressure on consumers. The suggested interventions, if adopted, could lead to a more sustainable and balanced market, benefiting both insurers and policyholders.
Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.
The Australian commercial insurance market has maintained its soft conditions through the first half of 2026, characterized by easing pricing across most lines and a broad insurer appetite. This trend is largely driven by heightened competition, expanded capacity, and stabilizing reinsurance conditions. - read more
The 2026-27 Federal Budget, presented by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, introduces several measures with direct implications for the Australian insurance industry. These include legislated natural hazard definitions and a doubled Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) prudential threshold. However, the budget also leaves certain areas unaddressed, such as disaster funding and the Hazards Insurance Partnership. - read more
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) have called for decisive action to address mounting sustainability pressures in the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance market. This call to action follows a high-level industry roundtable that brought together senior executives from 19 insurers and reinsurers, alongside representatives from Treasury and the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI). - read more
Insurance Australia Group (IAG), a leading general insurer in Australia, has reported a net profit after tax of AU$505 million for the first half of the 2026 financial year. This performance demonstrates resilience in the face of severe seasonal weather events that impacted the industry during this period. - read more
In a significant development for the fitness industry, AUSactive has unveiled a new insurance product specifically designed for exercise and active health professionals. This initiative, developed in partnership with global insurance broker Marsh, aims to provide enhanced protection while offering lower premiums compared to existing market options. - read more
Liability insurance is a crucial form of protection that offers coverage against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people or property. Within the bustling landscape of Australian businesses, possessing this form of insurance is key to financial security and continuity. It acts as a safety net, ensuring businesses can manage risks without bearing the full brunt of potentially costly legal claims. - read more
Liability insurance is a form of coverage that protects businesses against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people or property. It provides crucial peace of mind, ensuring that your business is shielded from potentially devastating financial losses due to lawsuits or claims against it. - read more
Public liability insurance is designed to protect your business from financial loss if you are found liable for causing injury or property damage to a third party. This type of insurance covers legal costs and any compensation claims that might arise from accidents or incidents involving your business operations. - read more
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on public liability insurance. If you run a business, you've probably heard this term thrown around quite often. But what exactly is public liability insurance? - read more
As an Australian business owner, you face numerous financial risks daily. Accidents can happen at any time, whether it's a slip and fall on your premises or damage caused by your products or services. These incidents can lead to costly legal actions that may put significant strain on your business finances. - read more
Start Here !
Knowledgebase
Endorsement: An amendment or addition to an existing insurance policy that changes the terms or scope of the original policy.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.