One of the biggest issues facing the construction and insurance industries of late has been the use of composite paneling. Of course linked to this is the number of fires involving extruded polystyrene “XPS” in cool rooms. I am anxious to learn as much as I can about the issues as is Steve Manning and we acknowledge those that are assisting us including AXA UK […]
I fully support the review of Fire Service Levy in NZ
It was a nice way to end a tough week to read in InsuranceNEWS that the New Zealand Government is looking at alternatives to having the fire service levy heavily funded by insurance. There is absolutely no doubt that people buy less insurance when the price goes up. We saw it here in Victoria before the Black Saturday bush fires, in North Queensland due to […]
Blog Question on Non-conforming cladding
I received the following question from an old friend who I first met while handling a complex claim for his company in 1984. I rang yesterday looking for advice or some information from LMI on the building cladding issue and if the commercial insurance underwriting industry are already or are considering paying claims out for “damage or loss” to the buildings. I wonder if its […]
A quick summary of the outcomes from the ACCC – Northern Australia Insurance Inquiry – Interim report
Here is a quick overview of the latest report. Focus areas Focus area 1: Measures to further improve insurance affordability and availability Focus area 2: Detailed case studies on sub-regions in northern Australia Focus area 3: Examination of premium adjustments Focus area 4: Identify and investigate barriers to expansion (or re-entry) Focus area 5: Understanding non-insurance and how it may be addressed Recommendations […]
2 observations while travelling in North America
This morning watching the morning news over breakfast I saw the article about the chap who was towing a boat with a mobility scooter after his driver’s licence was cancelled. I knew about this a couple of weeks ago as it was the only news item about anything Australian that I heard about Australia during my trip to North America. It made you feel so […]
I cannot understand the copycat attacks following the strawberry product tampering
My latest book, co-authored with my daughter Susan, Chicago: Lessons Learned has just gone off to the printers in readiness for the launch in Chicago on the day Susan graduates with her Doctor of Psychology. One of the 6 case studies that we researched was the Tylenol Murders in 1982 which led to massive changes in packaging to prevent a re-occurrence. While no one was […]
Is travel insurance free with your credit card better than Corporate Travel Insurance?
Most insurance brokers and travel insurers would immediately say, of course not! Corporate Travel is the Rolls Royce of travel insurance. Well, free travel insurance with a credit card is better for one insurer when it comes to cancellation due to illness between the date of purchasing the tickets and the start of the travel. In this case, the Insured had been with the same […]
If you cannot trust the police who can you trust
I have written a lot of late about the loss of trust the public have in government, look at the farce of last week’s change of Prime Minister, big business, rip off trades people, solicitors involved in motor scams, etc. Of course, Insurance is wrapped up in this as well with the Royal Commission and some questionable actions by some in the industry. I do […]
Blog Question Comment: Police not assisting in advising vehicle owner’s details
In response to my post about making sure it is safe to exchange details with the third party in a motor vehicle accident, I received the following comment. Hi Allan, Further to your latest article regarding the car jacking and obtaining TP [third party] details through the Police. We have found that within South Australia this is a lot harder than what it must be […]
What hope does the public have in working out who does what?
I have been staggered by the number of insured’s who have come to me asking how they can submit a paper to the Royal Commission. They do not know who else they can complain to, particularly when they believe the Financial Ombudsmen Service (FOS) has failed them and or it is outside their jurisdiction. I will leave my own observations of FOS to another day […]