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:
Paige Estritori covers Victorias push to curb strata manager kickbacks and tighten disclosure, the Disaster Ready Funds fourth round prioritising hard mitigation projects, signs of stabilisation in home insurance underwriting despite weaker investment returns, and a federal plan to automatically refund verified scam losses under $3,000. Each item includes why it matters and what consumers and small businesses can do now, with a reminder to compare policies and access broker support at InsuranceOnline.com.au.
Hello and welcome to Insurance Online News, Im Paige Estritori, and its Thursday, 4 June 2026.
First up, Victoria is moving on strata transparency. The state has put commissions and other benefits paid to owners corporation managers under the microscope after an expert panel called for a ban. Its also eyeing tougher disclosure and a licensing regime, while noting any outright ban could push up service fees. If you live or invest in an apartment, ask how your buildings insurance is arranged, compare policies side by side, and consider broker support to avoid hidden conflicts and underinsurance.
Next up, the federal Disaster Ready Fund has reopened for round four, with about one hundred and forty‑two million dollars on the table and a preference for projects that directly cut risk, like levees and flood barriers. Proposals go via state and territory agencies by 1 July. Why it matters: hard mitigation lowers community risk and can ease premium pressure over time, though not overnight. If youre in a flood, bushfire or cyclone zone, review your sum insured and excess now and get fresh quotes so your cover matches todays risk.
Meanwhile, new data shows the general insurance market is stabilising after a bruising year. Industry profit was dented by weaker investment returns, but home insurance underwriting losses narrowed sharply in the March quarter. That suggests claims trends are improving after summer, even as costs remain elevated. The practical move is to shop around, check safety upgrades at your property, and use an adviser to tailor cover rather than trimming protections you still need.
Finally, scam protections are tightening. The government plans automatic refunds for verified losses under three thousand dollars, with banks footing the bill, alongside new frameworks for banks, telcos and digital platforms to block and trace scams faster. It wont replace cyber or fraud cover, but it should speed small reimbursements and cut downtime for households and small businesses. Keep multifactor authentication on, verify payee details, and compare cyber or crime insurance if payments or customer data are critical to your operations.
Thats it for this week. For fast, free quotes and Australia‑wide broker support on personal and business cover, visit 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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Knowledgebase
Insurance broker: An agent acting on behalf of the insured (not the insurance company) who negotiates the terms and cover provided by the insurer in the insurance policy.
