Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums

2

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

Significant Increase in Health Insurance Premiums Anticipated for 2026

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Health insurance premiums are set to experience a substantial increase in 2026, with projections indicating a global rise of 10.3%. This marks the third consecutive year of significant hikes, following increases of 10% in 2025 and 9.5% in 2024. These figures are highlighted in WTW's 2026 Global Medical Trends report, underscoring the persistent inflationary pressures affecting insurers and employer-sponsored health plans worldwide. - read more

Private Health Insurers Under Scrutiny for Profits Amid Rising Premiums

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent analyses have brought to light significant concerns regarding the profit margins of private health insurers in Australia, especially in the context of rising premiums. The Australia Institute has highlighted that major insurers are reporting substantial profits while simultaneously increasing premiums, a situation that has sparked criticism and calls for greater transparency within the industry. - read more

Health Minister Puts Private Health Insurers on Notice Over Pricing Practices

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Health Minister Mark Butler has issued a stern warning to private health insurers in Australia, cautioning them against employing underhanded tactics to increase premiums. This comes in response to findings from the Commonwealth Ombudsman, which revealed that some insurers have been closing old policies and introducing more expensive new ones, effectively circumventing regulatory limits on premium hikes. - read more

AUSactive Unveils Comprehensive Insurance Solution for Fitness Professionals

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

AUSactive, Australia's leading body for the exercise and active health sector, has announced the launch of a new insurance product tailored specifically for fitness professionals. This initiative, developed in collaboration with global insurance broker Marsh, aims to provide enhanced protection while offering lower premiums compared to existing market options. - read more

Health Insurers to Include Natural Therapies in Coverage from 2026

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

In a significant policy shift, Australian health insurers will begin offering rebates for a range of natural therapies, including Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Shiatsu, Naturopathy, Western herbal medicine, and the Alexander Technique, starting early 2026. This change follows legislative amendments allowing these therapies to be covered under private health insurance for the treatment of health conditions or as part of health management programs. - read more

Rising Fitness Industry in Australia Opens Doors for Insurance Brokers

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian fitness industry has experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by an increasing health consciousness among Australians. Reports indicate that nearly half of young Australians regularly visit gyms or health centres, reflecting a cultural shift towards prioritising fitness and wellbeing. - read more

Consumers Demand Transparency Amid Rising Insurance Premiums

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian consumers are increasingly voicing concerns over substantial hikes in insurance premiums, with many facing increases of 30% to 50% or more. Advocacy groups are calling for greater transparency in pricing and the establishment of independent insurance price monitoring. - read more

Rising Insurance Costs in Northern Australia Challenge Cyclone Reinsurance Efforts

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Homeowners in Northern Australia are facing significant increases in insurance premiums, despite the establishment of a cyclone reinsurance pool in 2022 aimed at reducing costs. Some residents have reported premium hikes of up to 600%, raising questions about the effectiveness of the reinsurance pool. - read more

Claim Central Property Ceases Operations Amid Industry Pressures

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Claim Central Property, a prominent player in the Australian property claims management sector, has recently entered voluntary administration, ceasing its operations. This development underscores the mounting pressures within the construction and insurance industries, characterised by escalating costs and persistent supply chain disruptions. - read more

Proposed Building Code Reforms Aim to Mitigate Water Leak Issues

21 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Engineers Australia has recently expressed strong support for proposed amendments to the National Construction Code (NCC) aimed at mitigating water leaks, which are identified as the predominant cause of defects in apartment and commercial buildings. This endorsement underscores the critical need for enhanced standards to address a pervasive issue that has significant financial and structural implications. - read more

Click for more Insurance News