I have recently written about the Grenfell Tower fire in London, you can read that article here, including subsequent follow up here. Specifically, I have looked at with interest the use of cladding on the outside of the building. One of the major arising issues is the use of building cladding that was in fact banned in the UK, as well as the US and […]
Interesting Blog Question on relying on a home policy for liability borne out of a contract.
I received the following question from one of the brokers I admire most when it comes to technical knowledge and commitment to the insurance industry and his clients. It is one of the few occasions I can recall taking a different view. Here is the issue: There is a clause that is an exclusion in a Householder’s policy Liability section, which I think is being […]
The combustible panel issue has to be addressed before it is too late
I was looking through photographs in preparing an earlier blog today and my eye was drawn to a photo of two young girls trying to escape from a fire in Sydney back in 2012. My mind immediately thought what would have happened had that, what appears to have been older building, been retro-fitted with the combustible paneling? In that post titled. Fire Safety in High Rise […]
Another broker angry at the NSW Government
I received this email last night and it mirrors many phone calls and emails I have received. “The NSW ESL Insurance Monitor has now gazetted a new Section 30 Notice which requires premium comparisons to be provided with renewal invitations and renewal schedules for residential property insurance in NSW from 1 July 2017.” At what point does the State Government pull their head in & […]
Does the colour of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Helmets signal more take overs?
I noticed that the spokesperson for the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade (“MFB”) was wearing a blue helmet and the thought crossed my mind that the organisation has more on their mind than just taking over sections of the Country Fire Brigade (“CFA”). Perhaps, the long term aim is for it to become the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Police Force! I am just joking of course, […]
Happy to see some relief for Insurance Taxes in NSW (unless there is yet another back flip)
New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet says the state’s 2017 budget will relieve cost pressures for 600,000 small businesses in the region through the reduction of red tape, including by axing insurance duty on a range of policies for businesses with annual turnover of $2 million or less. As an aside, I am convinced governments want businesses to stay small for as soon as you […]
Further to my earlier post on the imported panels in the London Fire
It will probably come as no surprise to those in the insurance industry that the company that imported the panels allegedly involved in the London fire this week has had what appears to be a checked past. It is being reported that the firm that provided the cladding for the Grenfell estate was Harley Curtain Wall, according to the Architects Journal. That firm went into […]
It is not just combustible paneling that we ought to be worried about
As readers will be aware, not only have I been writing often about the issue of combustible paneling in high and low rise apartments, but also the importation of electrical cabling that does not meet Australian Standards and also building products that contains asbestos. I have now learned through my son Steve, who is over in London at the moment meeting our major clients, that […]
Product Safety Recalls Australia – 13/06/2017
This week’s product safety recalls include the following: Arrow Pharma Pty Ltd — Valpam 5 (diazepam) 5mg tablets in 50 tablet blister packs Read more Sandoz Pty Ltd — Amlodipine Sandoz 5mg tablets Read more Edgar Edmondson Pty Ltd — Numatic Lithium Battery UN3480 Read more Volvo Group Australia — Mack Trucks – Trident, Super-Liner & Titan Trucks Read more Regalflow Pty Ltd — Neopuzzle […]
Product Safety Recalls Australia – 06/06/2017
Some of this week’s product recalls includes the following: Sunbeam Corporation Pty Ltd — Sunbeam Sous Chef™ Stir Multi Cooker; Model MU3000 Read more Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd — Mercedes-Benz “CLA” and “GLA” class passenger vehicles Read more Isuzu Australia Limited — NQR series vehicles Read more Wens Bros Trading Pty Ltd — Elastic Luggage Straps Read more Wens Bros Trading Pty Ltd — Assorted […]