Income Protection NZ
Income Protection NZ :: News
Rising Group Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Life Insurance
Rising Group Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Life Insurance
Insurance premiums for group life policies with long-term benefits have surged between 15% to 25% on average in the first half of the year, according to a mid-year market update from Marsh Australia.
While the steepest increases affected those with adverse claims experiences, short-term rates and premiums for permanent disabilities remained relatively steady.
The sector has also become more selective, with insurers adopting stricter underwriting standards, particularly eschewing high-risk industries.
Significantly, the report highlights that some insurers, troubled by poor claims experiences, have withdrawn from markets such as law firms and insurance companies. This has led businesses to reconsider their employee benefit strategies, leading to potential reductions in group life insurance coverage. Cost-cutting measures such as these may result in individuals being left underinsured.
The causes of claims have stayed consistent, with cancer still the leading factor in life claims and mental illness prominently impacting income protection claims. Of particular concern are mental health claims, which tend to persist longer and contribute substantially to rising claims costs for insurers.
On a positive note, a significant player has reentered the corporate life insurance arena outside of superannuation, presenting much-needed capacity after recent exits by other providers.
According to the Marsh report, these trends observed in the first half of the year are expected to continue for the remainder of the year.
Published:Thursday, 28th Aug 2025
Source: Paige Estritori
Share this news item:
Insurance News
| AFCA Upholds Insurer's Premium Increase Amid Consumer Complaint 01 Sep 2025: Paige Estritori A recent decision by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has ruled against a homeowner seeking an $18,000 refund from Allianz. The homeowner claimed that the insurer failed to adequately inform her about substantial increases in her optional flood cover premiums. Initially, her monthly payments surged from $369 to $1277 in August 2022, a change she only noticed in March of the following year through her bank statements. - read more |
| Rising Group Premiums Pose Challenges for Australian Life Insurance 28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori Insurance premiums for group life policies with long-term benefits have surged between 15% to 25% on average in the first half of the year, according to a mid-year market update from Marsh Australia. While the steepest increases affected those with adverse claims experiences, short-term rates and premiums for permanent disabilities remained relatively steady. The sector has also become more selective, with insurers adopting stricter underwriting standards, particularly eschewing high-risk industries. - read more |
| Concerns Arise Over Construction Code Pause Amid Housing Push 28 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori The federal government's initiative to accelerate housing development by relaxing certain building regulations has raised alarm within the insurance sector. Housing Minister Clare O’Neil announced changes on social media, indicating a strategic pause on parts of the National Construction Code to expedite building approvals and encourage the construction of much-needed homes across Australia. This move comes in response to challenges in the approval process, which often delays construction. - read more |
| RACQ Insurance Ordered to Increase Payout After Claim Handling Flaws 27 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori RACQ Insurance has been instructed to bolster a payout to a customer following a ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). The dispute arose after the insurer's handling of a house fire claim lodged by a woman in October 2023 was found lacking. The fire, initiated by scented candles, resulted in significant fire and smoke damage to her home. - read more |
| ASIC Review Puts Life Insurance Sector Under Scrutiny 26 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has spotlighted significant shortcomings in the direct sale of life insurance products, urging the industry to reassess its sales practices. The recent review unearthed ongoing issues with remuneration structures, indicating that some insurers still link commissions to sales targets, potentially fostering aggressive sales tactics. The study further revealed a troubling rise in claims disputes, with reported cases more than doubling since 2018, raising concerns about the transparency and trustworthiness of these policies. - read more |
| Ombudsman Sides with Insurer on Imposed Excess Dispute 25 Aug 2025: Paige Estritori A recent ruling by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has upheld an insurer's decision to impose an additional $2000 excess on a property policy, following a dispute raised by a policyholder over claims history impacts. - read more |
Life Insurance Articles
| Affordable Life Insurance: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family's Finances Life insurance is a crucial component in safeguarding your family's financial security. It offers peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones will be protected in the event of unexpected circumstances. Many Australians understand the value of having life insurance, but the task of finding a policy that fits within a family's budget can sometimes feel overwhelming. - read more
|
| The Comprehensive Comparison: Evaluating Different Insurance Providers in Australia Welcome to the comprehensive guide on evaluating different insurance providers in Australia. Navigating through the plethora of insurance options can be overwhelming. With a market full of competing insurers, choosing the right provider is critical to ensuring ample protection for your assets, health, and peace of mind. This introduction aims to underscore the significance of this decision for Australian consumers. - read more
|
| How to Compare Life Insurance Policies in Australia Without Overpaying Life insurance stands as a pillar of financial stability in the lives of many Australians, providing peace of mind and security for families and individuals facing the uncertainty of the future. The importance of life insurance cannot be overstated; it offers a safety net that serves to protect your loved ones in the event of a tragedy, ensuring their financial well-being during difficult times. - read more
|
| How to Navigate Life Insurance Claims: Maximizing Your Benefits Successfully As we traverse the unpredictable journey of life, the assurance of a safety net can provide unparalleled peace of mind. Life insurance stands as a stalwart guardian in times of loss, ensuring that the financial implications do not add to the emotional burden of bereavement. Understanding the intricacies of life insurance claims is not merely a recommendation—it is a necessity for those looking to fully harness their policy's potential. - read more
|
| The importance of Income Protection Insurance for Employees While some people might think that income protection insurance is only for self-employed individuals, this is not accurate. This type of insurance is just as beneficial for employees, because accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time. Workers' compensation provides only limited coverage, and most employees don't have much more than a few weeks' sick leave accrued. Of course, if you have more than one job, the situation becomes more of a concern if you are injured at one workplace resulting in being unable to work at either. - read more
|
| Illness and Your Finances: Strategies for Continuous Income Flow When illness strikes, the impact on your finances can be as significant as on your health. Maintaining continuous income flow during such times is crucial for financial stability. - read more
|
Start Here !
All quotes are provided free and without obligation. We respect your privacy.
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.
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.