Life Insurance
Upper house gives final nod to genetic testing law
13 April 2026
Life insurers will be banned from using genetic test results for underwriting purposes after the Senate voted to pass legislation implementing the reform...
Industry mental health stance a backwards step, reviewer says
13 April 2026
Life insurers’ proposed changes to mental health cover represent “a step back” from the industry’s current commitments, code reviewer Peter Kell says in an interim report...
Crash injuries ‘caused by crime, not epilepsy’
13 April 2026
A driver who was jailed after a high-speed car crash has lost a claim dispute that hinged on whether his injuries were caused by an epileptic seizure or criminal activity...
AIA tool ‘overcomes barriers’ to group insurance transfers
13 April 2026
AIA has introduced a tool that aims to streamline insurance administration for financial advisers moving clients’ super into a platform account...
TAL backs annual consumer finances index
13 April 2026
TAL has partnered with research house McCrindle to study consumers’ financial planning and preparedness...
Court backs $140 million group ‘overcharging’ settlement
30 March 2026
The Federal Court has approved a $140 million settlement to a class action alleging overcharging of group insurance premiums...
Zurich revises cover for AFL players amid concussion ‘uncertainty’
30 March 2026
Zurich has confirmed changes to its group insurance program for Australian Football League players after media reported it no longer includes head trauma...
AFCA rules out more compensation for widow
30 March 2026
TAL and super fund IOOF adequately compensated a widow for delays assessing a terminal illness benefit, the financial services ombudsman has ruled...
Genetic test ban awaits Senate nod
30 March 2026
Australia is close to banning the use of genetic test results in life insurance underwriting after proposed laws cleared the House of Representatives last week...
Advisers canvassed on compensation scheme charge
30 March 2026
Financial Advice Association Australia has launched a member survey on the impact of Compensation Scheme of Last Resort levies...
FSC names new deputy chair
30 March 2026
The Financial Services Council has appointed Challenger CEO Nick Hamilton as deputy chair...
NZ consumer survey finds advice gap
30 March 2026
A Financial Markets Authority review of New Zealanders’ access to advice has found “significant opportunity” for improvement...
Treasury consults on adviser education reforms
23 March 2026
Federal Treasury has started consulting on its proposed revamp of education requirements for life insurance and other financial advisers...
No going back on cancelled cover, executor told
23 March 2026
A life insurance policy cancelled under the Protecting Your Super regime will not be reinstated despite a complaint that the owner did not understand he was losing the cover...
MetLife hails faster underwriting outcomes
23 March 2026
MetLife Australia says it has improved turnaround times over the past year after changing its underwriting processes...
Industry raises alarm as Australians turn to bots for advice
23 March 2026
Life insurers have made a renewed push for progress on the federal government’s plan for a new class of adviser to offer “simple” advice...
Union takes on Acenda over ‘chaotic’ job cuts
16 March 2026
More than 200 Acenda employees have been laid off following the merger last year of the MLC Life and Resolution Life Australia operations, according to the Finance Sector Union...
Disability pension no offset against benefit: AFCA
16 March 2026
An insurer cannot reduce a policyholder’s payments for being unable to work by offsetting them with a disability pension unrelated to work capacity, the complaints authority has ruled...
Advice group celebrates claims milestone
16 March 2026
Specialist life adviser Australian Financial Risk Management says it has secured more than $400 million in claim payouts for clients since it launched in 1997...
‘Blunt super reforms harming members, families’
09 March 2026
Reforms protecting super members from paying multiple account fees and unnecessary premiums have led to unintended consequences, the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia says...