Farm Insurance Australia :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums

Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums

Urgent Reforms Needed to Curb Rising Motor Insurance Premiums?w=400

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.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has called for urgent action to address the factors driving the significant rise in motor insurance premiums.
In a detailed policy paper, the ICA has outlined a strategic plan, urging government intervention to address key issues like labour shortages, supply chain disruptions, and inefficiencies in accident management practices.

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

Insuregroup's Remarkable Growth Reflects Surge in Truck Insurance Demand
Insuregroup's Remarkable Growth Reflects Surge in Truck Insurance Demand
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
Insuregroup, a specialist insurance brokerage serving Australia's transport and logistics sector, has recently announced a significant milestone: processing over 10,000 insurance policies since its inception, with a 25% increase in policy volume over the past year. This growth underscores the escalating demand for comprehensive truck insurance solutions tailored to the unique needs of Australian freight operators. - read more
Envest Group Unveils TLI Underwriting: A New Era for Heavy Motor Fleet Insurance
Envest Group Unveils TLI Underwriting: A New Era for Heavy Motor Fleet Insurance
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
Envest Group, a prominent player in Australia's insurance sector, has announced the launch of TLI Underwriting, a new agency dedicated to providing specialized insurance solutions for heavy motor fleet operators. This strategic move aims to address the unique challenges faced by larger transport businesses in Australia. - read more
ASIC Initiates Legal Proceedings Against QBE for Alleged Misleading Discount Practices
ASIC Initiates Legal Proceedings Against QBE for Alleged Misleading Discount Practices
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has commenced legal action against QBE Insurance, alleging that the insurer misled more than 500,000 customers regarding premium discounts over a five-year period. This development has significant implications for the Australian insurance industry, particularly for policyholders seeking transparency and fairness in premium calculations. - read more
Declining Construction Insurance Premiums: A Boon for Australian Tradies
Declining Construction Insurance Premiums: A Boon for Australian Tradies
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
In 2025, Australia's construction insurance market has experienced a significant shift, with premiums decreasing across various lines due to intensified competition among insurers. This trend is particularly beneficial for tradespeople, commonly known as 'tradies,' who are witnessing more affordable coverage options. - read more
Upcoming Insurance Mandate: NSW Builders Must Act Before 2026 Deadline
Upcoming Insurance Mandate: NSW Builders Must Act Before 2026 Deadline
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
In a significant regulatory development, registered building practitioners in New South Wales (NSW) are now required to secure professional indemnity (PI) insurance by July 1, 2026. This mandate, stemming from the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2021, underscores the importance of comprehensive risk management for tradies operating within the state. - read more
Rising Claims Costs and Labour Shortages: Challenges for Australian Insurers
Rising Claims Costs and Labour Shortages: Challenges for Australian Insurers
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
Australian insurers are currently navigating a complex landscape marked by escalating claims costs, primarily driven by labour shortages and supply chain disruptions within the construction sector. These challenges have significant implications for tradies and the broader insurance industry. - read more
Rising Professional Indemnity Insurance Costs Impact Australian Businesses
Rising Professional Indemnity Insurance Costs Impact Australian Businesses
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its latest National Claims and Policies Database (NCPD) statistics, highlighting a significant increase in professional indemnity (PI) insurance premiums. Since 2015, these premiums have risen by 27%, posing financial challenges for businesses across the nation. - read more
Australia's Construction Boom Fuels Demand for Professional Indemnity Specialists
Australia's Construction Boom Fuels Demand for Professional Indemnity Specialists
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
Australia's construction industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, leading to a heightened demand for professional indemnity (PI) insurance specialists. This surge is driven by a combination of large-scale infrastructure projects, evolving contractual complexities, and new regulatory requirements. - read more
Evolving Trends in Professional Indemnity Insurance: Opportunities and Challenges
Evolving Trends in Professional Indemnity Insurance: Opportunities and Challenges
07 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
The professional indemnity (PI) insurance market is undergoing notable shifts, presenting both opportunities and challenges for various sectors. Recent trends indicate a softening market, with premium reductions of approximately 5-10% available for low-risk profiles, particularly within financial services. This development offers financial relief for businesses with strong compliance records and minimal claims histories. - read more
Netstrata's Undisclosed Commissions and Conflicts of Interest Revealed
Netstrata's Undisclosed Commissions and Conflicts of Interest Revealed
06 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori
In February 2025, an independent review conducted by McGrathNicol uncovered significant issues within Netstrata, a prominent strata management company. The investigation revealed that Netstrata failed to disclose commissions and did not obtain multiple quotes for services, potentially breaching legal obligations. Additionally, the review identified undisclosed personal relationships between Netstrata employees and suppliers, raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest. - read more


Farm Insurance Articles

Tractors, Livestock, and Crops: Tailoring Your Farm Insurance to Fit Your Needs
Tractors, Livestock, and Crops: Tailoring Your Farm Insurance to Fit Your Needs
Welcome to the world of farming, where the fruits of your labor are as tangible as the soil you till. But just as the land is subject to the whims of nature, so too is the business of agriculture. This is where farm insurance becomes essential. Farmers face a set of challenges and uncertainties unlike any other industry, primarily due to the unpredictable forces of weather. - read more
Protecting Your Herd: The Aussie Farmer's Guide to Livestock Insurance
Protecting Your Herd: The Aussie Farmer's Guide to Livestock Insurance
For Australian farmers, livestock is more than just a vital asset; it's the heartbeat of their livelihood. In a land where the sunburnt plains are as relentless as they are beautiful, protecting your herd isn't just a duty; it's a necessity. That's where livestock insurance comes into play—a shield against the unpredictability of Mother Nature. - read more
A Farmer's Guide to Essential Farm Insurance Terminology
A Farmer's Guide to Essential Farm Insurance Terminology
Farming is a vital industry in Australia, requiring significant investment in equipment, crops, livestock, and labour. As with any major investment, protecting it is crucial. That's where farm insurance comes in. - read more
The Digital Farmer's Guide to Insuring Your Agribusiness in the Tech Age
The Digital Farmer's Guide to Insuring Your Agribusiness in the Tech Age
Welcome to the defining era where technology and agriculture entwine, bringing forth the digital farmer's era. With the evolution of agribusiness in the tech age, comes an array of new tools, opportunities, and risks. As a custodian of the earth and steward of the latest innovations, safeguarding your digital farm is just as crucial as nurturing your crops and livestock. - read more
Agroforestry Insurance Guide: Protecting Your Investment in Australia's Sustainable Future
Agroforestry Insurance Guide: Protecting Your Investment in Australia's Sustainable Future
Agroforestry is a transformative approach to land management that integrates trees into agricultural landscapes. In Australia, where farmers contend with variable climates and environmental challenges, agroforestry offers a resilient pathway to productivity and sustainability. - read more
How to Protect Your Harvest: Tips for Choosing the Right Crop Insurance
How to Protect Your Harvest: Tips for Choosing the Right Crop Insurance
Farming, at its core, is an enterprise fraught with uncertainty. Weather calamities, pests, diseases, and fluctuating market conditions can all impact the output and quality of produce. This is where crop insurance proves its worth, serving as a safety net for farmers against the myriad risks they face each season. - read more
The Modern Farmer's Checklist for Assessing Farm Equipment Insurance Needs
The Modern Farmer's Checklist for Assessing Farm Equipment Insurance Needs
As the backbone of Australian agriculture, farm equipment plays an essential role in day-to-day operations across our expansive and diverse landscapes. From the vast wheat belts to the tropical fruit farms, machinery ensures efficiency and productivity in the face of constant challenges. But with reliance on such equipment comes significant risk—the financial burden of damage or loss can be devastating to a farmer's livelihood. - read more
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Insuring Your Farm Equipment
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Insuring Your Farm Equipment
In the world of agriculture, having the right insurance coverage is essential. Farming is a high-risk industry that deals with unpredictable elements, and insuring your farm equipment can safeguard your livelihood. - read more
Proven Strategies for Australian Farmers to Reduce Farm Insurance Premiums
Proven Strategies for Australian Farmers to Reduce Farm Insurance Premiums
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on navigating the complexities of farm insurance for Australian farmers. As an integral part of the agricultural industry, insurance provides a safety net that helps secure the livelihood of farmers against unpredictable events that can lead to financial hardship. From property damage due to natural disasters to loss of livestock or crops, having adequate farm insurance can make all the difference in keeping a farming operation afloat in times of crisis. - read more
Risk Management and Insurance Options for Farmers
Risk Management and Insurance Options for Farmers
Risk management is the practice of identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks followed by coordinated efforts to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events. In farming, risk management involves various strategies to protect the financial health and operational stability of the farm. - read more


Need a Quote?
Start your free farm insurance quote comparison here.
Farm Type:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free and without obligation by a Specialist from our National Broker referral panel. See our Privacy Statement for more details.


Knowledgebase
Insurance Claim:
Notification to an insurance company requesting payment of an amount due under the terms of the policy.