11 Jan Broking Services & Insurance Market Update

We would like to take this opportunity to wish our valued clients a happy and prosperous year!

In the coming year the CRM Brokers team will continue to offer the high-quality broking and claims management services for which we are known. Additionally, in 2023 we will focus on connecting with you to hear how we can improve our offering in ways that will further support your business.

As always, your support is appreciated, and we look forward to working with you and your teams throughout 2023.

Meet the CRM Brokers Management Team

We would like to present you to the CRM Brokers Management Team, which includes several new faces that bring with them additional expertise and knowledge to strengthen our service delivery.

Renée Butcher

Chief Operating Officer

Renée Butcher joins us with over 21 years’ operational management experience and proficiency across insurance broking and trade services.

Natalie Coorey

Office & Administration Manager

Since 2006 Natalie has played an integral part in the growth and stability of CRM Brokers, with a dedication to provide specialised support to our clients every step of the way.

Jess Craig

Broking Operations Manager

Having spent more than 16 years in the insurance industry, Jess has practical knowledge and experience across roles in broking, claims and underwriting.

Ken Masina

Head of Claims

Ken has in excess of 13 years’ insurance industry experience and came to CRM Brokers just over 12 months ago, from Australia’s largest strata insurance underwriting agency.

Insurance Market Update

Past Premium Increases

Despite the fact that the rate rise on buildings in FY2022 were the largest since FY2013, insurers have had difficulty attaining the necessary rate increases over the past few years.

Even though there has been some stabilisation in non-event claims (including claims related to broken pipes), insurers are finding it increasingly challenging to return their portfolios to a level of profitability.

This is due to a number of factors including the frequency and severity of adverse weather events, increasing reinsurance costs, and building claims inflation which is fuelled by the rising costs of material and shortage of labour in Australia.

What’s in store for this year?

In order to try to reach the profitability they are aiming for, insurers will likely continue to drive premium increases through FY2023, as well as implement efforts to decrease expenses and improve claims performance. Policy discounts are unlikely to be issued without consideration of a higher excess in a market where excesses have recently increased.

We think that underwriters in the strata sector will follow this prediction; that their underwriting appetite will continue to narrow, and that achieving good premiums and policy outcomes will depend on the calibre of the quote submissions brokers give them.

Strata underwriters will be looking to support well-maintained properties. When defects are present they will look favourably on owners corporations that have investigated those defects and have a proactive management strategy in place.

References
Finity Consulting Pty Ltd, 2019, Finity Market Report, viewed 09/01/2023, https://www.steadfast.com.au/well-covered/insurance-for-established-business/-/media/38f7c37293c34da7bc4470a7ec9edae3.ashx
Finity Consulting Pty Ltd, 2022, OptimaLite General Insurance Insights 2022, viewed 09/01/2023, https://a.storyblok.com/f/132489/x/0c8a8ad890/optimalite_2022.pdf

Important Notice

This article provides information rather than financial product or other advice. The content of this article, including any information contained in it, has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information. In particular, you should review the Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’), Target Market Determination (‘TMD’) and Financial Services Guide (‘FSG’), which can be obtained by contacting CRM Brokers or downloading it from the agency’s website before deciding to acquire, or to continue to hold, this product. Insurance policies issued by various insurers often differ.

Information is current as at the date the article is written as specified within it but is subject to change. CRM Brokers make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Various third parties have contributed to the production of this content. All information is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of CRM Brokers.