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ASIC, APRA slam premium hikes

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 15 DEC 2023
Life insurers are underhandedly hiking premiums in a way that is misleading and fails to explain why they are rising, according to APRA and ASIC, warning that they will take regulatory action if practices do not improve.

A third of Aussies want life insurance advice: Research

CHLOE WALKER  |  THURSDAY, 7 DEC 2023
New research commissioned by the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) shows the number of people receiving professional life insurance advice remains low, despite a third showing interest.

Treasury mulls reforming use of genetic test results by life insurers

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  MONDAY, 27 NOV 2023
Treasury is calling for feedback on the use of genetic testing in life insurance underwriting, citing concerns the existing moratorium is ineffective, negatively impacting medical research efforts, and a lack of compliance from insurers.

Insurers drop allocation to risk assets: Research

CASSANDRA BALDINI  |  MONDAY, 13 NOV 2023
Over 80% of insurers are adopting a cautious investment approach, signalling their intent to decrease exposure to risk in the coming six months.

Life insurance complaints drop 24%

KARREN VERGARA  |  WEDNESDAY, 25 OCT 2023
The number of life insurance complaints may have declined 24% in the 2023 financial year, but policyholders continue to complain about claims-handling delays and insurers peddling misleading information.

Super fund, insurer admin issues draw AFCA complaints

KARREN VERGARA  |  MONDAY, 23 OCT 2023
Life insurers and superannuation funds continue to pin systemic issues on administrative and legacy systems that have drawn customer complaints and, in some cases, led to large compensation payouts, according to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority ...

Mass-affluent population key to insurer sustainability: Report

JAMIE WILLIAMSON  |  FRIDAY, 20 OCT 2023
The world's 40 largest life insurers face huge sustainability challenges, as a new report shows they will see to $13 trillion in outflows between now and 2040.

Life insurance industry profits double, premiums rise: KPMG

ANDREW MCKEAN  |  TUESDAY, 17 OCT 2023
Life insurance profits in Australia have soared to $1.2 billion, doubling in the year to 30 June 2023, primarily due to gains in superannuation business, according to KPMG's annual market review.

Global insurers eye private markets, clean energy: BlackRock

ANDREW MCKEAN  |  FRIDAY, 29 SEP 2023
Global insurers are rethinking their investment strategies, with 60% revising strategic asset allocations (SAA) to prioritise flexibility and new opportunities, according to a BlackRock study.

Risk sector grows 4%: Research

KARREN VERGARA  |  FRIDAY, 29 SEP 2023
The life insurance industry climbed 4% to $18.4 billion in the year to June 2023 despite the number of risk advisers fleeing the industry.