New research shows the adviser penetration of online application facilities (eApps) for life insurance to be levelling out. A survey conducted by Beaton Research and Consulting on behalf of Zurich’s life and investments business in Australia (Zurich) shows that around one third of all advisers are still submitting less than 10% of life insurance applications... Read more continue reading
18
Aug
2011
The Government’s re-think on a commissions ban on life insurance within superannuation must extend to group risk, or millions of Australian workers will lose the affordable access they currently have to life insurance advice within their corporate superannuation plans, according to the Corporate Super Specialist Alliance (CSSA). The Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill... Read more continue reading
05
Aug
2011
Recent discussion about the so-called ‘de facto death duty’ levied on superannuation payouts to non-dependants, which includes payouts on life insurance held in super, highlights that pre-retirees should reassess how insurance is held and what cover is needed, says Mr Michael Hutton, head of wealth management at accountants and advisors HLB Mann Judd Sydney. “There... Read more continue reading
04
Aug
2011
The Institute of Actuaries of Australia (the Institute) today called for the creation of a temporary national insurance pool to subsidise premiums for high flood risk properties and to fund financial incentives for mitigation actions until mitigation strategies can reduce flood risks in the system to an acceptable level. Commenting on its submission to the... Read more continue reading
22
Jul
2011
BT Protection Plans have been added to more than 100 approved product lists within dealer groups and the number of advisers the products have doubled since its launch in February 2011 to the independent financial advice market. According to BT Insurance, more than half the applications have been underwritten, and submitted online and over 25% of income... Read more continue reading
12
Jul
2011
New report from Rice Warner reveals increasing levels of personal insurance Australia’s life insurance gap has reduced over the last six years, according to a new report from Rice Warner Actuaries. As at June 2010, the overall level of underinsurance is $669 bn to meet the subsistence needs of families and dependants after death, which compares... Read more continue reading
01
Jul
2011
Direct Risk the big winner as industry ‘comes of age’ According to Rice Warner Actuaries’ latest Direct Life Insurance Report, Australia’s direct life market has experienced growth over the past year that has seen it ‘come of age’. The report reveals a dramatically changing landscape that features new, more sophisticated marketing, wider public acceptance, multi-channel... Read more continue reading
08
Jun
2011
SPAA is pleased the Government is considering scaled advice to replace the accountants’ exemption but disappointed risk commissions have been dealt with separately inside and outside of super. The Self Managed Super Fund Professionals’ Association (SPAA) has today welcomed the announcement of the detail of the Federal Government’s Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms which seek to improve the... Read more continue reading
28
Apr
2011
In response to adviser feedback, leading independent life insurance specialist, AIA Australia, has launched a suite of innovative product enhancements to its Priority Protection product, as well as a new range of free life support and counselling services for policyholders. Product enhancements include premium discounts for qualifying clients, potential tax benefits and an advanced crisis... Read more continue reading
28
Feb
2011
Two insurers have shared line honours in the prestigious AFA/Plan for Life 2010 Life Company of the Year Awards (the Awards). At the Awards presentation in Sydney today, CommInsure and Tower were both named winners of the Platinum Risk Insurer of the Year Award. CommInsure also took out the Service Quality and Investment Bond Award... Read more continue reading
23
Feb
2011
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