Around 400 additional homes could be built at Southwark Grounds on Port Road, lifting total site capacity from 1300 to around 1700 dwellings.

A recently approved code amendment would allow apartment towers of up to 14 storeys in some areas of Renewal SA’s redevelopment of the former West End Brewery.

Renewal SA Acting Chief Executive Shane Wingard said he welcomed the code amendment, with the increase in heights and homes making a positive impact on the supply of high-quality, well-connected housing close to the city.

“By going higher across some parts of Southwark Grounds, we are adding a substantial number of very well-located homes with little impact on project delivery time or planned open space,” Mr Wingard said.

Since the project officially launched in 2025, Mr Wingard said more than 12,000 enquiries had been received about living at Southwark Grounds.

“The very strong early interest we’ve seen since homes were first released in the precinct reinforces our plans to create more housing opportunities,” he said.

The Southwark Grounds code amendment was launched in December last year, with community engagement undertaken over five weeks from January.

It proposed increasing maximum building heights from eight to 14 storeys on the eastern section of Southwark Grounds, and to 12 storeys across the remainder of the site, with minimum building heights ranging from two to four storeys.

The code amendment was implemented through an Early Commencement policy in late January, allowing developers to quickly explore the viability of increased height and housing yield while other planning processes continue.

One of the first developers delivering apartment sites have already finalised redesigns to increase the number of apartments following the code amendment.

Samaras’ development adjacent to the future Colonel Light Park is now planning to deliver 125 apartments across 11 storeys, significantly greater than original plans of around 50 apartments across four storeys.

The developer is also exploring the potential for additional affordable housing outcomes.

Most of the apartments at Southwark Grounds will be delivered within a master-planned precinct on a large parcel of land on the eastern portion of the site, covering around two-thirds of its 8.4 hectares.

Wingard said detailed precinct planning over the coming months may identify further opportunities to increase yield further that could see total apartment numbers at Southwark Grounds, exceed this number.

Affordable homes at Southwark Grounds will also see a net increase, with Renewal SA maintaining its commitment to a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing across the development.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Civil works have begun across the site, with construction under way on the first new roads surrounding a townhouse precinct in the south‑west corner of Southwark Grounds. This includes Renewal SA’s 17 Founder’s Row homes, which are on track for completion by Christmas.

“We expect to have people living at Southwark Grounds by the end of the year, so delivering roads and public spaces for those residents is among our highest priorities.”

Construction of 40 townhouses off Anderson Street, known as West Village and being delivered by Contour, is forecast to begin in mid‑2026. Kolabb’s Anderson Lane development will follow shortly after, delivering a further 26 townhouses.

Southwark Grounds is a state government‑led urban renewal project now set to deliver around 1,700 homes over the next decade.

Homes will be supported by a supermarket, a range of retail and hospitality offerings anchored by a revitalised Walkerville Brew Tower, a childcare centre, car parking and well‑connected public spaces.

Joel Robinson

400 new homes planned for Adelaide's former West End Brewery site

Brisbane developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cavcorp">Cavcorp</a> has lodged plans for a new mixed-use residential development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-wyandra-street-teneriffe-qld-4005">55 Wyandra Street</a>, Teneriffe, anchored by an 85-metre public laneway designed to reconnect the suburb’s riverfront with the Gasworks precinct.

The buildings, known as Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane, would replace the existing Queensland Cotton head office site with a 15-storey residential tower transitioning to eight storeys toward Helen Street. The project has been designed by Plazibat Architects and lodged as a code assessable development application for 93 apartments across a 3,401 sqm mixed-use site within the Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront neighbourhood plan.

Central to the scheme is the transformation of an existing service easement into a publicly accessible cross-block connection linking Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the new laneway will act as both a pedestrian shortcut and a landscaped civic space between the Teneriffe Riverwalk, ferry terminal, and Gasworks precinct.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="26e7f058-b065-4de8-b13d-a2b8cb64dfcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bldg.png?VersionId=sELS0ZKYi361oYipUa1BIKfe_.DLZoFV" />

“The revised proposal delivers a legacy public-realm cross-block link, permanently secured for community use, transforming an existing private easement into a safe, high-quality pedestrian connection between the Teneriffe heritage riverwalk and the Gasworks–Long Island precinct,” the planning report states.

The laneway will sit beneath a large subtropical loggia integrated into the podium levels of the development. The design incorporates deep landscaping, water gardens, lobby spaces, business lounges, and ground-floor apartments to create what Cavcorp describes as a climate-responsive “urban verandah.”

The tower itself has been designed as a slender form with recessed floorplates and curved translucent corners inspired by contemporary Japanese architecture. The building height aligns with the Commercial Road precinct controls, which permit towers up to 15 storeys within proximity to Longland Street.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a8a17d40-43b6-4718-b3fd-67676fcbb485" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pers%202_1.png?VersionId=i3VwDtp5AmL_8InW7w4qRbDFEpb744Jt" />

The project will comprise a mix of larger-format apartments aimed at owner-occupiers, downsizers, and families. The proposed apartment mix includes 11 loggia apartments across the lower levels, 50 four-bedroom Sky-Terrace apartments from levels three to seven, and 32 Sky-Pool Homes occupying the upper tower levels. The Sky-Pool Homes will feature private thermal plunge pools integrated into oversized balconies.

According to the application, the apartments are intended to reinterpret the scale and character of Teneriffe’s woolstore conversions and Queensland homes within a vertical residential format.

“The sky-pool homes build on Cavcorp’s previous projects and introduce a distinct apartment typology to Teneriffe, informed by both local and international precedent and responding to an identified market demand for enhanced safety, space and amenity,” the planning submission notes.

A major focus of the proposal is its five-level wellness and lifestyle offering, extending from the basement through to the rooftop.

Amenities proposed include a rooftop Swim &amp; Racquet Club with a 25-metre Olympic lap pool and tennis court, coworking spaces and libraries, golf simulators, wine storage, concierge facilities, business lounges, pet wash areas, and rooftop longevity-focused wellness spaces with spas, outdoor fitness zones, and landscaped terraces.

<img alt="First Look: Cavcorp unveils Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane plans for landmark wellness tower in Teneriffe" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="944b352c-49b9-4247-a4c6-5967b4b69fda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/amenity.png?VersionId=Ed_qKjAtMwFT.5gfl3jiA9QwdWxSMsaX" />

All parking will be concealed within basement levels accessed from Wyandra and Helen Streets. Cavcorp says the deep-basement engineering approach allows the entire ground plane to prioritise landscaping, pedestrian movement, and active frontage rather than vehicle infrastructure.

The development continues Cavcorp’s concentration in Newstead and Teneriffe, where the Brisbane developer has delivered a number of apartment projects including Lucent, Le Bain, and Luminare, as well as the Long Island Wellness Precinct nearby. Several of those projects have received national design and architecture awards, including recognition under Brisbane’s “Buildings that Breathe” program.

Cavcorp unveils wellness-focused Teneriffe House and Teneriffe Lane apartment buildings

Focus Group Investments has lodged plans for a new apartment development at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-70-hanover-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">64–70 Hanover Street</a> in Fitzroy, seeking to utilise the Victorian Government’s recently introduced Great Design Fast Track pathway to accelerate approvals for the project.

The proposal is among the latest developments to emerge through the state-led initiative, which was established to fast-track well-designed residential projects in activity centres and transport-connected inner-city locations. The pathway allows qualifying developments that meet elevated design and housing benchmarks to bypass traditional council planning timeframes and instead be assessed directly by the Department of Transport and Planning.

Designed by SJB, the development will comprise a mix of apartments above activated lower levels, with a strong focus on architectural articulation, landscaping, and communal amenity. The design response seeks to balance the industrial character of Richmond’s former warehouse precincts with a more contemporary residential form.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abea51cc-d85b-479e-9aef-a589f3b37ca7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ground.png?VersionId=e1Kf8EyPWwyiVumtqQ4rM5S4GpOR3CCz" />

Proposed are 63 new dwellings, a wide ranging mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, and townhouses and duplexes. They will be spread across a part-three, part-eight storey building.

The Planning and Urban Context Report by Tract says the development is of an "exemplary architectural standard" and has been carefully crafted by SJB Architects.

"Dwellings&nbsp;will benefit from excellent access to natural light, cross-ventilation opportunities and extensive communal space," the report noted.

The architectural material highlights the project’s integration of landscaped elements and communal spaces throughout the building. The proposal also incorporates sustainability initiatives aligned with the Victorian Government’s push for higher-performing apartment developments under the fast-track program.

The Great Design Fast Track was unveiled by the Victorian Government in 2024 as part of a broader housing supply strategy aimed at accelerating the delivery of new homes. Projects assessed through the pathway must demonstrate high-quality architecture, sustainability outcomes, and housing diversity while being located close to public transport and existing infrastructure.

<img alt="First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Richmond apartments" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="afdbe834-8dc4-4a77-a943-ba07bc927348" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/site_11.png?VersionId=0J657j.TaChAZfp93wqJYBTqSsnREJx2" />

Focus Group, founder and led by Paul De Lutiis, is increasingly active across Melbourne’s inner suburbs, targeting well-connected urban renewal locations suited to medium and higher-density residential development. The Fitzroy proposal continues that strategy, leveraging the area’s strong transport links, established retail amenity, and proximity to the CBD.

Fitzroy has been one of the most popular spots for developers and buyers in recent years. The likes of PACE Development Group, SMA Projects, Crema Group and Chapter Group, currently selling projects in the suburb.

First look: Focus Group Investments taps Victoria’s Great Design Fast Track for Fitzroy apartments

The Gold Coast Planning Committee has supported the preliminary approval for the Benowa Gardens Urban Village project following an extensive community consultation and assessment process.

The proposal will now proceed to a full council vote on June 2.

The application sought approval for a masterplanned urban village on the existing Benowa Gardens Shopping Centre site, combining new housing, retail, dining, health and lifestyle amenities within a walkable, integrated precinct.&nbsp;

The proposed redevelopment includes around 413 apartments integrated above a revitalised mixed-use centre featuring a full-line supermarket of 4,000 sqm, 6,000 sqm of specialty retail and dining space across around 30 retailers, a 7,000 sqm health and wellness precinct, and roughly 9,630 sqm of office and medical suites.&nbsp;

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb36ae47-80bc-45f0-9914-31b0c7b6007d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C4%201121%20FI.jpg?VersionId=6mRKk2uU4r67TmTt39DKGUlvFRbTVqWa" />

The broader masterplan also includes very significant traffic and transport improvements, wide pedestrian walkways, upgraded pedestrian and cycle connections, and enhanced public areas designed to create a more connected and walkable community environment.&nbsp;

Centre owner Patrick Lu said the milestone reflected months of detailed planning, technical assessment and ongoing communication with local residents, businesses, schools and stakeholders.

“We appreciate the time, consideration and care Council officers and the Planning Committee have given this proposal throughout the assessment process,” Lu said.

“We also sincerely thank the local community for engaging with us, sharing feedback and participating in the consultation process over many months.

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="32fd1fc3-d0e6-485f-ac57-9916c9bcb818" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/PR26576%20Ashmore%20Road%20C5%201121%20FI_2.jpg?VersionId=fz8qQKDBLQ7MyFRc856Zccfbh9nFwLOe" />

“We understand projects of this scale bring questions and concerns, which is why we have worked hard to listen carefully, provide information transparently and continue refining elements of the proposal where possible.

“Our vision has always been to create a well-designed, community-focused urban village that responds to the changing needs of the Gold Coast, while delivering improved amenity, housing diversity, healthcare access and local lifestyle benefits.

“This proposal is about creating a genuine live-work-play environment where residents can access everyday services, schools, healthcare, dining, shopping and green space within walking distance, while also supporting local jobs and economic activity.”

<img alt="$1b Benowa Gardens Urban Village moves to Full Council following Planning Committee support" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="50dfbd04-590e-4fc6-983b-766880947867" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Dining%20Day%20Time%20-%20High%20Resolution.jpg?VersionId=BP7ZoKJ0DdL_8iRkkC8VVx99moICV6kg" />

Lu said the proposal had evolved significantly through consultation and technical review, particularly around traffic, pedestrian and student safety and neighbourhood connectivity.&nbsp;

Melissa Griffin, Director at Urbis, said the recommendation recognised the strategic importance of delivering more housing and services within established urban areas already supported by infrastructure.

“This proposal represents the type of thoughtful, integrated growth that planning frameworks across South-East Queensland are encouraging,” Ms Griffin said.

“The project seeks to place housing, retail, healthcare and employment opportunities together in a highly accessible location close to schools, transport and existing services.

“Importantly, the process has involved significant technical assessment and community engagement to ensure local issues and feedback were properly considered throughout the planning pathway.”

$1 billion Benowa Gardens Urban Village heads to council vote following Planning Committee support

Surfers Paradise is officially set for its first new residential development with a 45-storey skybridge connecting the two towers.

John Camilleri’s Celestino Developments has been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council to develop its major beachfront precinct across its huge 4,000 sqm oceanfront site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/63-79-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">63–79 Garfield Terrace</a>, just five months after its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-billionaire-winx-breeder-s-bold-two-tower-surfers-paradise-play-with-45th-storey-skybridge">submission in late 2025</a>.

The approved scheme will deliver two towers rising 55 and 48 storeys, connected by a skybridge positioned on level 45 that will house a range of resident-only wellness and entertainment spaces.

In its notice of approval, the Gold Coast City Council said the&nbsp;proposed overall built form has been designed to complement the scale, intensity and protect the adjacent amenity and surrounding streets through the use of varied setbacks, site cover and architectural elements.

<img alt="First look exclusive: Billionaire Winx breeder’s bold two-tower Surfers Paradise play with 45th-storey skybridge" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-30%20at%209.53.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=ADyPJ_TFbJvSU9wZFOiCBnlPtgF7VWqW" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/dbi">DBI</a>, the development will comprise 275 apartments across the two towers, including a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, as well as several penthouses. The apartments will sit above a landscaped podium featuring more than 90 metres of beachfront pool frontage, private resident lawns, lounges, and wellness spaces.

DBI said the design draws heavily from the movement and form of the coastal environment, with curving balcony lines and sculpted façades intended to soften the scale of the towers while maximising ocean outlooks and passive shading outcomes.

“The project occupies a rare, uninterrupted oceanfront site and has been shaped by a design philosophy that merges architectural elegance with environmental responsiveness and a carefully curated lifestyle experience,” DBI said in planning documents submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

The most distinctive element of the approved project is the skybridge linking the two towers at level 45. The elevated communal space is planned to include executive lounges, formal dining areas, wellness facilities, and panoramic ocean-facing outlooks.

“The skybridge enhances the identity of the development, promotes social interaction, and delivers a lifestyle experience not found elsewhere on the Gold Coast,” DBI said.

At podium level, residents will have access to a suite of resort-style amenities, including resident lounges, private dining rooms, a yoga lawn, gymnasium, plunge pools, and treatment spaces. The beachfront pool has been designed with separate lap, lounge, and children’s areas extending across the width of the site.

The project will also introduce new food and beverage offerings along the Enderley Avenue and Oceanway frontages, contributing additional activation to the beachfront precinct.

First look: Winx billionaire’s beachfront Surfers Paradise apartment development greenlit

Insurance

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There has been a substantial increase in the number and size of property-related claims by Australian homeowners due to internal water damage, according to a new report published by Chubb Insurance.
Chubb estimates that the average claim from water damage in Australia has increased by 72% in the past five years.
According to the Chubb Insight Report, <a href="http://www.chubb.com/au/get-smart-about-water-leaks" target="_blank">Get Smart about Water Leaks</a>, the average claim from water damage received by Chubb in Australia has increased from A$17,627 in 2014 to A$30,361 in 2018.
In addition, water damage as a percentage of actual household claims is also increasing with 34% of all Chubb claims being due to water damage, compared to 16% for fire and 9% for burglary.
“Australians are increasingly more aware of the damage caused by floods and fire, yet few are prepared for the threat from water damage to their homes,” explains Michelle O’Dowd, Underwriting Manager, Australia &amp; New Zealand, Personal Lines, Chubb.
O’Dowd says that while Australian homeowners commonly focus on protecting their homes against fire and theft through locking devices, alarms systems and smoke detectors, there is far less focus on protecting homes from water damage.
While all Australian homeowners may experience water leaks, Chubb’s research also revealed that those living in Western Australia and Victoria are particularly susceptible.
In fact, homeowners in these states are 20% more likely to make a water damage claim under their Chubb Masterpiece policy than any other homeowner.
“Protecting your home against water damage is as simple as installing one central system to monitor the flow of water across your home or turning off the main water supply at the shut off valve – especially if you’re away for a week or more,” says O’Dowd.
Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company with operations in 54 countries.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Insurance claims on property water damage increase 72%: Chubb Insurance

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The Property Council of Australia is calling for the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to immediately convene an industry roundtable on resolving the insurance crisis for the building and construction sectors.
"Governments must come together on measures to address the imminent threat of the complete loss of insurance coverage for building certifiers which could significantly disrupt building and construction activity," said Property Council of Australia Chief Executive Ken Morrison.
The Property Council is calling on the Commonwealth to take a leadership role to:
<ul>
<li>Implement a nationally consistent standard for risk assessment and rectification work for existing buildings with combustible cladding;</li>
<li>Establish a joint task force of industry and governments to design a program that will fund rectification works for building owners left exposed with no recourse;</li>
<li>Recommit to a nationally consistent approach and urgent implementation of the Shergold Weir report recommendations.</li>
</ul>
It noted insurers around the world have withdrawn exclusion-free professional indemnity insurance for building certifiers and other professionals including engineers and architects in the aftermath of fires involving combustible cladding products.
"For building certifiers, this has precipitated into a real crisis with building surveying firms now facing closure because they cannot secure affordable or workable insurance policies," Morrison said.
"While Australia has taken action through its National Construction Code to improve safety standards in newly-constructed buildings, existing buildings with cladding are covered by a range of inconsistent and incompletely enforced state and territory regulations and guidelines.
"This has made it almost impossible for building owners to secure affordable insurance and to plan rectification works for their affected buildings. Building owners can no longer get expert advice from professionals as they themselves can no longer secure appropriate insurance cover for necessary work.
"This has now led to instances of certifiers being quoted insurance renewal costs up to hundreds of thousands dollars higher, or facing the prospect of no insurance cover at all.
"For too long, different levels of government have been passing the buck on putting in place nationally consistent standards for building regulation and compliance.
"The cost of this intergovernmental merry-go-round is now being sheeted home as building certifiers are unable to do their jobs without insurance cover.
"This impending insurance crisis risks bringing the construction sector to a halt if it is not addressed urgently."
The Commonwealth, state and territory governments have had the blueprint for action for more than 18 months in the form of the Shergold Weir report which made 24 recommendations to improve building regulation and compliance across Australia.
"Our objective must be to strengthen confidence in the regulatory regime for building and construction across Australia through a nationally uniform approach. Despite strong industry support, governments have taken too long to get this done," Morrison said.
"First and foremost, the Federal Government now needs to play a leadership role and bring together all state and territory governments as matter of urgency to deal with the looming insurance crisis, as well as commit to deliver on the Shergold Weir recommendations.
"Public confidence in the built environment, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of jobs supported by building and construction, demand this level of action from our governments."
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Urgent action required to fix construction industry's insurance crisis: Property Council 

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More than 140,000 householders and investors who list their houses and apartments on short-stay rental websites over the summer holidays could be placing their assets and their financial stability at risk, according to the Insurance Council of Australia’s Understand Insurance initiative.
Lisa Kable, spokesperson says householders who offer their houses or apartments on short-term holiday rental websites are likely to find they are not adequately protected by home and contents insurance.
“We conservatively estimate more than 140,000 properties that are usually either owner occupied or rented out long-term will be listed for short-term rentals these holidays."
“However, owners may not realise that most insurers regard short-stay holiday rental as a commercial use of the property because the likelihood something will go wrong are higher," she added.
According to the ICA (Insurance Council of Australia), a home building or contents claim incurred while a property is being rented out may be declined, leaving the owner financially vulnerable to financial loss and other liabilities.
The ICA recommends that homeowners and investors considering short-term letting their properties should:
1. Check household insurance Product Disclosure Statements prior to advertising on short-stay home rental platforms such as Airbnb, Stayz, Homeaway, Flipkey and booking.com. If there are gaps, look for specialist insurance that protects your home and contents while paying guests are staying.
2. Not rely solely on a rental platform’s host protection insurance. There are gaps in the cover offered. Most don’t cover the personal property of the host, cash, pets and public liability in shared areas 
3. Reduce their risk by removing valuables and irreplaceable items such as jewellery, original artworks and collectors’ pieces during the short-term stay 
4.Check strata rules, tenancy agreements and local council laws because they may prohibit short-stay holiday lets
5. Ensure their property is safe and secure
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More than 140,000 investors with short-stay holiday rentals may need to check their insurance

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GUEST OBSERVER
Drones are quickly becoming the new buzz in the business world.
These remotely piloted aircraft have grown in popularity in recent years not only for recreational use, but also in commercial applications. This includes industries like real estate, tourism, insurance, mining, engineering, marketing, entertainment and sports.
The possibilities are endless for all sectors of business to encompass this new technology and with the new relaxed regulations, implementing the use of drones is now an affordable and efficient option.
As demand grows these virtual-eyes are proving their worth in many Australian businesses. But is this new and fascinating technology exposing these industry leading businesses to serious liability? 
For any business utilising this ground-breaking technology, it is important to have adequate and specialised cover.
Not only is it important to protect your investment, but also in consideration to possible liability cases.
A remotely piloted aircraft or drone is defined as an Aircraft1. Under the Damage by Aircraft Act2; owners and operators have strict liability both jointly and individually.
It is imperative that your business understands the implication of strict liability before operating the Drone commercially.
Businesses also need to understand that choosing to operate without adequate insurance could lead to serious liability under the Damage by Aircraft Act3.
It is important to all businesses who operate drones to fully understand the operational limitations imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
What is a commercial operation?
<ul>
<li>Any operation which is not conducted for sport or recreation is considered commercial.</li>
<li>Even if the use of the drone was not used specifically for selling that businesses services, the use can still be deemed commercial. </li>
</ul>
Analysis conducted at QBE Aviation in conjunction with external data input indicates common cause of loss when it comes to utilising drone technology.
This includes pilot error during pre-flight and flight, wildlife and battery degradation due to excessive use.
To completely understand the legal operational limitations, O’Brien also suggests all business owners who utilise drones to become members of the Australian Association for Unmanned Systems (AAUS) and also obtain a Remote Operators Certificate (ReOC).
It’s also good professional practise to ensure the owners and controllers of the Drone are correctly trained.
This should be done by a registered training organisation.
John O’Brien is the Director of Kobe Insurance. He can be contacted <a href="https://kobeinsurance.com.au/about-us/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Rise in drones a liability nightmare: John O’Brien

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The NSW Government has backed down on a new fire and emergency services levy which was to come into effect July 1.
It admits its modelling was wrong with extra costs on fully insured small and medium businesses likely to be unfair.
The new levy was set to replace the Emergency Services Levy on insurance policies.
All landowners would have paid a contribution to fire and emergency services starting from around $250 a year with the levy attached to council rates.
Currently only those who are insured pay anything towards fire protection.
Sydney-based commercial agency John Hill &amp; Co, gave the example of an industrial property in Botany where the new levy would be $77,000 compared to $12,000, an increase of 526 per cent. 
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the new system aimed to make it fairer for all, but the modelling received from Treasury was wrong.
"It's become apparent to us that when we've looked at the advice on the modelling for industrial and commercial but [then] looked at the examples that were coming in, there is a mismatch," the Premier said.
The Premier also defended the backdown.
"What is the point of doing something if it doesn't make the system fairer?" she said.
The Government will have to introduce legislation to stop the levy coming into place on July 1. 
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NSW fire levy scrapped due to unfairness for landholders

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GUEST OBSERVER
As natural disasters become more intense, it's time for insurance companies to help communities adapt to climate change.
As communities recover from the havoc wreaked by Cyclone Debbie, it’s time to accept that disasters will become more intense due to climate change and the cost of insurance will continue to rise.
Insurers have a unique insight into the risk and costs associated with climate change. If insurers better informed households about the terms and conditions of insurance and the potential costs of what’s not covered, consumers could help mitigate the risks themselves.
Insurers could also share data with government on how building and changes to infrastructure affects premiums. This would avoid surprises after a disaster hits.
Where insurance products are unaffordable, or cover unavailable, it’s often governments left to foot the bill. Since 2009, this has amounted to more than A$12 billion.
When governments can no longer afford the exorbitant clean up costs, the homeowner (or residents, in the case of renters) will be left with little recourse.
Rising premiums
The insurance industry is expecting premiums to be equal to 38% of annual income by the year 2100 for affected households. We are also starting to see a huge disparity in the cost of insurance between high and low risk areas.
Insurance premiums in Northern Queensland are already more than double that of Brisbane due to climate risk, for instance. Exorbitant costs of insurance may result in consumers being unable to afford cover.
To reduce these premiums, more adaptation and mitigation measures are critical.
One example of this is the partnership between insurer Suncorp and James Cook University to analyse data on insurance claims and to beef up cyclone protection by retrofitting homes. This partnership has reduced the cost of some insurance premiums.
The Productivity Commission inquiry into climate change adaption supported “market led adaptation”. This is in part premised on the insurance sector providing “price signals” - noting the costs via year to year for insurance premiums for various risks, so that consumers can adapt.
It would also be easier for consumers to adapt if the information about their coverage, beyond prices, was clearer. As noted in the Queensland Flood Inquiry report commissioned after the catastrophic flooding in 2011, insurers can help by using plain language in their insurance products. This includes in Product Disclosure Statements, particularly on what types of “flood” are covered.
Data to protect home owners
If there was a centralised, and freely available, source of climate risk data it would be easier to ensure consumers, government and insurers were all working on the same assumptions.
There is already some spatial data freely available, including by the CSIRO, via CoastAdapt, and even with local councils such as Lake Macquarie.
There is perhaps potential for the current Productivity Commission inquiry into data sharing to specifically consider data relating to climate risk. For example, the spatial data in the National Interest Dataset could be used to provide consistent, reliable and free data to consumers prior to their decision to live or to build in high risk locations.
This data is important for risk forecasting and planning by the public and private sector (including insurers) in order to avoid up to US$100billion of uninsured losses, due to natural disasters worldwide.
Land use and development
How we develop or build on land is critical for how insurers will price premiums.
Australians have a history of, and perhaps an affinity for, building in high risk locations, and then rebuilding there when disaster strikes. While some insurers are recognising the economic benefits of acting early by installing flood levies in some Queensland towns, relying on wall building might not produce the results the community expects.
It can result in communities feeling protected by a wall that may not withstand future climate risk. A better approach is to implement climate adaptation measures early.
Law courts have been tasked with considering the impact of climate risk into administrative decision making for close to a decade. Cases in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland demonstrate the importance of a relevant decision maker properly factoring climate risk into development and land use planning decisions.
There are some instances where land use planning properly factors in climate risk. For example, in New South Wales previous land use decisions have allowed people to build close to at risk shorelines, or to place temporary works to protect homes during severe events. Now these are undergoing reform to include new laws which take into account expected future sea levels.
Getting reading for future events
As observed in the Productivity Commission inquiry into natural disaster mitigation, insurers can and need to do more to inform households on their policies, the natural hazards they face, and the indicative costs of rebuilding.
A wider availability of spatial data that quantifies risks to properties would assist home owners to be better prepared, but some of the responsibility lies with government as well.
It’s for local and state governments to determine whether, and where, rebuilding ought to occur.
Some of groundwork to improving all of these problems has already been set. The Federal Government setup a taskforce into insurance risks in Northern Australia, and the Productivity Commission has examined both barriers to climate change adaptation and mitigating the impact of natural disasters.
Governments need to play a central role. They must recognise the critical importance of a robust climate change mitigation and adaptation policy and then act on it. Only then will insurers get the signal for the need for change.
Tayanah O'Donnell is a Research Fellow with CURF at the University of Canberra and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tayanah-odonnell-122914" target="_blank">here</a>.
 
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How insurers can get better at responding to natural disasters: Tayanah O'Donnell

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It is not an easy exercise to calculate the costs of natural disasters like cyclones and floods or the broader economic impact.
But there is a general course of events. Natural disasters result in damage to property and infrastructure and interrupt and delay spending and production.
Some of the costs are recouped from insurers, governments, charities or private organisations.
Depending on the size of the event, share prices of insurers, transport operators and miners may fall, negatively affecting shareholders. Insurers may seek to lift premiums if insurance payouts are high, affecting other policyholders. While economic activity falls when natural disasters hit, rebuilding work serves to boost economies in ensuring weeks and months.
Cyclone Debbie crossed the north Queensland coast on March 28 as a Category four system at Airlie Beach in Queensland near Bowen and Mackay. The cyclone was then downgraded, eventually to a tropical low, moving south-west and then south east to the Gold Coast and northern NSW.
 The Insurance Council declared a catastrophe for damage caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie and then extended the catastrophe declaration for northern NSW for flooding caused by the cyclone.
The high rainfall continues to flow through river systems, creating the risk of further flooding. Rockhampton is currently bracing for flooding either late on April 5 or April 6.
Clearly no price can be placed on the tragic loss of life caused by the floods. How will the cyclone and floods affect the economy?
Cyclone Debbie and resultant floods have damaged vegetable and sugar cane crops, residential and commercial property, farms, transport infrastructure, tourism facilities and delayed coal and beef production.
The broader economic impact of the cyclone and floods should be limited as they hit late in the first quarter and early in the second quarter. The main question is how quickly coal production resumes. A prolonged delay would negatively affect June quarter economic growth although this will be offset by repair and rebuilding work later in the quarter and coming quarters. 
Coal transport: Rail operator Aurizon said the Blackwater system will re-open later this week. The Newlands rail system will re-open in 2-3 weeks. The Goonyella rail system may re-open in 5 weeks. The West Moreton system has re-opened. The Moura rail system may re-open in 2 weeks.
QCoal has declared force majeure on two coal shipments due to load this week due to the rail disruptions. Force majeure is defined as an “act of God” or “unforeseeable circumstances” that prevent a contract being fulfilled. Jellinbah Group and Yancoal are also amongst those that have declared force majeure on shipments.
 Insurance impact: The Insurance Council says the “level of catastrophe has not been seen since ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald in 2014, when storms and flooding affected large parts of Queensland and NSW and caused insurance losses of almost $1.2 billion.” 
Vegetables: The National Farmers Federation has cited industry groups estimating damage to crops of up to $1 billion. Prices for a raft of vegetables will rise considerably in coming months.
Beneficial rainfall: Many parts of inland Queensland received favourable rains, including beef properties around Rockhampton and Moura. Before the floods around 80 percent of Queensland was drought declared.
Queensland property: About 600 residences throughout northern parts of the state have been ruled uninhabitable since Cyclone Debbie hit the coast on Tuesday. The Courier Mail has reported that 76 residences are deemed uninhabitable in the southeast, although the indications are this is likely to go up by 250-300 in coming days.
State &amp; territory assistance: Concessional loans and grants have been provided by state and commonwealth governments to primary producers, individuals and businesses. Financial assistance is also being made available to local government authorities to restore damaged essential public infrastructure.
A Disaster Recovery Payment is administered through Centrelink and provides $1000 per adult and $400 per child for people with damaged homes
NSW impact: Disaster zones were declared in the Tweed, Lismore, Byron, Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Ballina local government areas.
Sugar: The peak body for Australian sugar growers, Canegrowers, has noted: “ With the harvest due to start in less than two months, surveys are indicating cane losses of up to 35 per cent in the Proserpine region ($50 million), 20 percent across the Mackay region ($81 million) and 20 percent in Plane Creek ($18 million).” It also notes that: “The mills and sugar terminals appear to have escaped serious damage. 
Coking Coal: From CBAs Mining and Energy Commodities Strategist, Vivek Dhar: “BHP Billiton said almost all of its coking coal mines in Queensland were affected by Cyclone Debbie. These mines “have crews returning to work to begin dewatering and preparation for return to operations.” The South Walker Creek (around 2 per cent of global exports) was the exception. The company also said that “the Hay Point [port] terminal is ready to receive coal from the mines and can begin shipping operations once the harbor master provides clearance.” If the damage from Cyclone Debbie is limited mostly to the rail system, the resumption in Australian coking coal exports could be counted in weeks.”
“The repair estimates suggest that 13-17 million tonnes (Mt) of seaborne coking coal supply (around 4-6 percent of global exports) and 2-5Mt of seaborne thermal coal supply (around 0.2-0.5 percent of global exports) may be lost this year. Some of the lost volume will likely be mitigated by drawing down on port stockpiles and increased haulage rates through the remainder of 2017.”
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 Craig James is the chief economist at <a href="https://www.comsec.com.au/default.aspx" target="_blank">CommSec</a>. 
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The cost of Cyclone Debbie and catastrophic flooding

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A financial product allowing renters an option to pay rental bonds off in instalments is being offered through BondSure.
Tenants can apply online to have rental bonds up to $5,000 paid on their behalf by BondSure, to be repaid over 6 or 12 months.
Australian lawyer and insurance entrepreneur, Michael Wood, created BondSure and said recouping bonds can also be a real nightmare for some tenants when accidents or disputes over cleaning put the bond in jeopardy.
“BondSure aims to help address these issues by providing consumers with a viable alternative to paying a bond by cash or credit card, and is the only product on the market that helps tenants protect their bonds against financial erosion,” he said.
“BondSure is a compelling alternative to Payday Lenders which we believe have been exploiting the residential bond market by offering loans to consumers with comparison rates of over 150 percent and repayment terms as small as four weeks in some instances.
The bond can be taken without the insurances and the insurances without the bond. The insurance can be continued if the lease runs longer than 12 months.
Former general manager of CENTURY 21 Australia, Paul Mylott, has been appointed chief executive officer. He said the insurance component of BONDSURE will lead to less bond disputes for tenants, property managers and landlords
“BondSure utilises identity and credit check providers and an online credit worthiness assessment to qualify  tenants, which is an aspect of the product that we expect will be warmly received by landlords,” said Paul Mylott.
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“Estate agents need only register once, providing bank details for the bond transfer, and then check the rental address inserted on the site at the time of signing the lease. Otherwise it’s all done by the tenant and BondSure. 
<a href="https://www.bondsure.com.au" target="_blank">Click here</a> to find out more.
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Property 101: Households can now insure rental bonds

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Understanding the intricacies of home and contents insurance policies can be complex, according to Canstar.
Below are a few of the more common home and contents-related terms that you'll need to understand – although keep in mind that policy wording can vary from insurer to insurer.
As such this is just a very general guide to some common terms. Please make sure that you carefully read the terms and conditions of any specific policy you are considering, to understand the inclusions and exclusions of that particular policy.
Accidental glass breakage
The accidental breakage of glass contents or glass forming part of contents. Glass contents may include such things as light fittings, glass in furniture and mirrors. It does not usually mean glass in televisions or small glass items such as crystal and ornaments.
Antiques, memorabilia
Given the sometimes-valuable nature of these items, you may find that the item is subject to a maximum dollar claim limit, or if the item cannot be replaced or repaired under the new for old specifications, your insurer may pay you what it would have cost to buy the item immediately before the loss or damage occurred, although your insurer will not pay more than the sum insured for that item.
Building replacement value
The amount it would cost you to totally rebuild your home at today?s prices, including any home improvements you have made.
Certificate of Insurance
The Certificate of Insurance is given to you by your insurer for each period of insurance. It is an important document as it shows the cover you have chosen and other policy details. It is used to verify the existence of that insurance.
Contents
Contents means your unfixed household goods and valuables and personal effects that you own including. It can include some items you may not automatically think of, including:
<ul>
<li>carpets – fixed and unfixed, internal blinds and curtains</li>
<li>furniture and furnishings</li>
<li>electrical appliances such as TVs, stereos, computers, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, freezers, portable heaters, plug-in lamps</li>
<li>wheelchairs and medical equipment</li>
<li>household tools and gardening equipment including ride-on mowers</li>
<li>firearms legally registered and stored</li>
<li>plants in pots</li>
<li>portable and above-ground swimming pools and spas in a temporary site and their accessories</li>
<li>surfboards, sailboards, canoes, kayaks and non-motorised surf skis</li>
</ul>
Contents – unit
If you insure contents in a unit, contents can include fixtures and fittings in the unit which are not legally part of the unit building for insurance purposes such as light fittings, wall paint, wall paper, wall coverings, floor coverings, eg floating floors, lino etc, a heater or airconditioning unit that you own.
Make sure your contents sum insured includes these fittings.
Duty of disclosure
You have a Duty of Disclosure to be honest and to tell your insurer everything you know or should know that a reasonable person would consider to be relevant to the insurer?s decision to insure anyone under the policy, including you, and on what terms.
The information you tell them can affect:
<ul>
<li>the amount of your premium</li>
<li>if your insurer will insure you</li>
<li>if special conditions will apply to your policy.</li>
</ul>
If you are unsure, it is better to tell your insurer. If you do not tell your insurer something which may be relevant, it could result in a claim being reduced or refused or cancellation of your policy.
Excess
The excess is the amount you have to pay for each incident if you make a claim. It is generally deducted from the amount of cover provided by your policy. The amount and type of excess that applies to your policy is shown on your Certificate of Insurance.
Family
Family is generally defined as people who normally live with you and are:
<ul>
<li>your spouse or partner</li>
<li>your children or step-children</li>
<li>your parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters</li>
<li>domestic staff</li>
<li>another person who resides with you  – but excludes any person who pays a financial consideration for doing so</li>
</ul>
Flood cover
The standard definition of flood is:
<ul>
<li>the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of:</li>
<li>any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or</li>
<li>any reservoir, canal, or dam.</li>
<li>This is quite separate from damage caused by the sea. If you have concerns in this area, check with your insurer.</li>
</ul>
Forced entry
Unlawful entry into your home, including entry by using stolen keys or picking locks. It does not mean opening an unlocked door or window.
Fusion
The actual burning out of an electric motor or its wiring caused by the electric current in it. Therefore the item you are claiming on must have a motor for the claim to be successful. Common items that may be subject to a fusion claim include washing machines, refrigerators, clothes dryers, freezers and pool motors.
Home
Home means your residential building and its domestic fixtures and domestic structural improvements, at the insured address, including:
<ul>
<li>garages and other domestic outbuildings</li>
<li>pergolas, patios, verandas, decking and fixed gazebos</li>
<li>wallpaper, paint and coverings on walls or ceilings</li>
<li>fixed floor coverings including linoleum (glued down or not), timber floor coverings but not carpets (whether secured to the floor or not) or floor rugs</li>
<li>insulation for roofs or walls</li>
<li>electrical and gas appliances, light fittings and alarm systems but only if these appliances are permanently connected or plumbed to the electricity or gas supply</li>
<li>dishwashers that are housed in a purpose-built cupboard or bench</li>
<li>swimming pools and spas in a permanent site and their accessories</li>
<li>barbecues (fixed in place)</li>
<li>clothes lines (fixed in place)</li>
<li>external blinds, fixed shade sails (fixed in place)</li>
<li>awnings and fixed shade umbrellas (fixed in place)</li>
<li>aerials, fixed satellite dishes (fixed in place) and</li>
<li>masts (fixed in place)</li>
<li>garden borders, driveways, paths and paving</li>
<li>walls, gates and up to 2 kilometres of fencing</li>
<li>service pipes and cables that you own or are legally responsible for</li>
<li>tennis courts</li>
<li>boat jetties and pontoons</li>
<li>unfixed home building materials and uninstalled home fittings.</li>
</ul>
New for old
A provision that if your home or contents are damaged or stolen, your insurer will replace them with new items or repair them with new materials that are available at the time of replacement or repair from Australian suppliers.
Optional cover
This is extra insurance cover above that already included in the standard policy. You can ask your insurer to add one or more optional covers to your policy for an extra premium. An example may be accidental glass breakage, or storm damage to gates and fences. You can discuss with your insurer of choice the optional covers that may be available.
Period of insurance
The time you are covered by the insurance, as shown on your Certificate of Insurance.
Policy
Your insurance contract. It consists of this PDS, your application for insurance and your latest Certificate of Insurance.
Premium
The amount you pay your insurer for insurance. You also pay stamp duty, GST and any additional government charges, and Fire Services Levy (FSL) if applicable.
Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)
PDS is the name of the document that contains the terms of your insurance cover. It includes information that would have previously been available in the insurance policy booklet. It tells you what cover is provided, details of costs, fees and charges and other important information. It should be read together with your Certificate of Insurance. If there are any changes to your PDS, your insurer should provide you with a Supplementary PDS, or a new PDS.
Sum Insured
The most you can claim for any particular incident. The amount is shown on the Certificate of Insurance or in the PDS. The sum insured includes GST.
Tools of trade
Tools or equipment used for any business activity except for home office equipment.
Unit
A home unit, flat, villa or townhouse subdivided according to state or territory strata or unit title laws, or similar laws.
For more information, <a href="https://www.canstar.com.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Property 101: Home and Contents Insurance - glossary of terms

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Following a survey of 23 home insurance brands covering 12 insurers, ASIC is calling for further improvements across the sector to help consumers make good decisions about their home insurance cover.
In response to ASIC's recommendations from October 2014, insurers have made a range of improvements. In particular, most insurers have implemented, or are implementing, the following changes:
<ul>
<li>Incorporating a sum insured calculator into point of sale processes, including through updated sales scripts, and providing better access to online calculators. This helps consumers select an appropriate sum insured amount during the quote and sales process, an important way to help reduce the risk of underinsurance; since October 2014, four additional insurers have made available sum insured calculators in both their telephone and online sales channels.</li>
<li>Training staff so that information provided to consumers about the sum insured, and the maximum amount paid by the insurer, is clear and in plain English; since October 2014, an additional eight insurers have adopted this practice for their telephone sales and an additional 11 for their online sales.</li>
<li>Providing information or assistance to consumers about the effect of changes to building codes which may increase the cost of rebuilding homes after a total loss; since October 2014, four additional insurers have made changes to provide this information.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://download.asic.gov.au/media/3554171/home-insurance-underinsurance-infographic.pdf?utm_source=Mediarelease&amp;utm_medium=pdfdownload&amp;utm_campaign=Underinsurance"></a>
Although welcoming these changes, ASIC's survey identified that there is scope for insurers to take additional steps. In particular, we would like insurers to help consumers select the right insurance cover by:
<ul>
<li>explaining that the sum insured amount needs to enable complete replacement of contents or complete rebuilding of their home;</li>
<li>providing guidance about coverage or sum insured amounts, rather than simply referring consumers to the product disclosure statement;</li>
<li>referring to the Key Facts Sheet to assist decision making; and</li>
<li>providing information and guidance about natural perils risks and additional rebuilding costs due to natural perils, to better estimate rebuilding costs after a total loss.</li>
</ul>
An example of an initiative that is aimed at providing more information and guidance to consumers is one insurer's website that allows consumers to enter their suburb or postcode and receive targeted information about that area including relevant risks, types of claims, types of weather events, and a dollar figure for how much other consumers in the area insure their building and contents.
ASIC has been working with the insurance industry to better understand barriers to the provision of financial product advice to consumers purchasing home insurance. ASIC has already taken steps to encourage and facilitate insurers operating under general advice models to provide useful information to consumers.
'ASIC is keen to see industry make improvements in all of the areas identified in ASIC's 2014 report,' ASIC Deputy Chair Peter Kell said.
'Our goal is to make sure that consumers buy insurance that better meets their needs – including by helping to reduce levels of underinsurance, especially when there are natural disasters.'
ASIC will continue this work with the insurance industry to further enhance the sector's  ability to assist consumers in purchasing home insurance that better meets their needs.
<h2>Background</h2>
ASIC released two reports in October 2014 exploring consumer experiences with the sale of home insurance.
In Report 415, ASIC reviewed the sales practices of 13 insurers who sell home insurance across Australia. Report 415 found that for sum insured policies, it is important to help consumers to set an appropriate sum insured amount, so that they are adequately insured in the event of a total loss.
Most home insurance policies in Australia are 'sum insured' policies, where the insurer agrees to pay only up to an agreed amount (the sum insured), nominated by the consumer, to repair or rebuild a damaged or destroyed home.
ASIC encourages insurers to inform consumers that the building sum insured amount should reflect the amount that it would cost to completely rebuild their home. Similarly, the contents sum insured amount should reflect the amount it would cost to completely replace all contents with new items at today's prices. The sum insured amount should also reflect the cost to rebuild the consumer's home to meet new building codes and standards, and any other supplementary costs. For information on supplementary costs see MoneySmart's page on <a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/insurance/home-and-contents-insurance/home-insurance-supplementary-costs" target="_blank">home insurance supplementary costs</a>.
Findings from Report 415 were considered in the Financial System Inquiry which called for improved guidance (including tools and calculators) and disclosure for general insurance, especially in relation to home insurance.  The Government has agreed to support work by industry to increase guidance and disclosure in general insurance.<a name="_ftnref2" href="file://a1.asic.gov.au/ds/userHome/miriam.phillips/Desktop/16-053MR%20home%20insurance%20update.docx#_ftn2" title=""> </a>
ASIC also notes and welcomes subsequent industry recommendations targeted at effective disclosure. Some of the Effective Disclosure Taskforce's recommendations align with ASIC's findings, particularly in relation to improving the provision of information to consumers about natural hazard risk, and integrating sum insured calculators into the sales process.
<a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/insurance/home-and-contents-insurance/home-insurance-supplementary-costs" target="_blank">ASIC's MoneySmart website</a> has recently been updated and includes further information on home and contents insurance.
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