Swiss Re Suspends New Business in Australia Over TPD Insurance Sustainability

The reinsurer highlighted that the evolving nature of work, increasing claims costs, and shifting societal expectations have raised questions about the viability of TPD insurance in Australia. Data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) indicates that insurers paid out over AUD 2.2 billion in mental health-related TPD claims, nearly doubling the amount from five years prior.

Paul Murray, CEO of Life & Health Reinsurance at Swiss Re, emphasised the industry's shared goal of preserving the social value of TPD insurance. He stated, "The shared goal across the industry is to preserve the social value of TPD – protecting Australians when they need it most – while creating a model that can endure economic cycles and demographic shifts."

Swiss Re's decision to halt new business activities underscores the need for a collaborative industry effort to address the challenges facing TPD insurance. This includes developing sustainable product designs that align with contemporary medical evidence and return-to-work practices.

As the industry grapples with these issues, stakeholders are called upon to engage in meaningful dialogue to ensure that TPD insurance remains a viable and valuable component of Australia's insurance landscape.