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.

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.

Published:Tuesday, 25th Mar 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Clear

New Legislation Prohibits Life Insurers from Using Genetic Test Results

08 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian government has enacted legislation prohibiting life insurers from using the results of genetic tests to refuse coverage or increase premiums. This landmark decision aims to eliminate genetic discrimination and encourage individuals to undergo potentially life-saving genetic testing without fear of financial repercussions. - read more

Australian Insurers Face Challenges in Cyber and AI Risk Readiness

08 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent findings from the PwC Insurance Banana Skins Survey have raised concerns about the preparedness of Australian insurers in managing emerging risks, particularly those associated with cyber threats and artificial intelligence (AI). The survey, which gathered insights from 698 insurance executives across 42 territories, including 37 from Australia, indicates that Australian insurers scored 6.6% lower on the Preparedness Index compared to their global counterparts. - read more

Rising Insurance Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Businesses

08 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Businesses across New South Wales are grappling with substantial increases in insurance premiums, prompting calls for urgent reforms to alleviate financial pressures. According to Business NSW's latest Business Conditions Survey, nearly 80% of businesses have experienced double-digit hikes in insurance costs over the past year, with one in three reporting increases of 30% or more. These surges significantly outpace the annual inflation rate of 2.5%, placing an undue burden on the business community. - read more

Impact of Victorian Bushfires on Home Insurance Costs

08 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent bushfires in Victoria have caused significant devastation, leading to concerns about rising insurance premiums for homeowners in affected areas. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared the fires a catastrophic event, with over 2,600 claims already lodged. This situation underscores the financial challenges faced by residents in regions prone to natural disasters. - read more

Rising Home Insurance Costs Affect 1.6 Million Australian Households

08 Mar 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent report by the Actuaries Institute has highlighted a concerning trend: approximately 1.6 million Australian households are now facing home insurance affordability stress. This marks a significant increase from the 1.24 million reported the previous year, indicating a growing financial burden on homeowners due to escalating insurance premiums. - read more

Click for more Insurance News