Swiss Re Suspends New Life Insurance Operations in Australia
Reinsurer Calls for Sustainable Product Redesign Amid Rising TPD Claims
0
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
Swiss Re Life & Health Australia has announced a suspension of new life insurance business activities in the country, effective October 2025.
This decision stems from concerns over the sustainability of Total Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance products, which have seen a significant rise in claims, particularly related to mental health.
In 2024, Australian insurers paid over AU$2.2 billion in mental health-related TPD claims, nearly doubling the figures from five years prior. This surge has prompted Swiss Re to advocate for a comprehensive redesign of TPD products to ensure long-term viability and affordability for consumers.
Paul Murray, CEO of Life & Health Reinsurance at Swiss Re, emphasised the need for industry-wide collaboration to balance consumer protection with economic sustainability. He stated that the goal is to preserve the social value of TPD insurance while creating a model that can endure economic cycles and demographic shifts.
During this pause, Swiss Re will not seek new clients in the life insurance segment but will continue to support existing retail clients. The company plans to work closely with industry stakeholders and regulators to develop products that better reflect evolving societal needs and provide consumers with greater certainty for future planning.
This move underscores the pressing need for the Australian life insurance industry to address the challenges posed by rising TPD claims and to innovate product offerings to meet the changing demands of the market.
Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.
Recent industry coverage of the federal government's financial advice reform agenda points to a practical shift for life insurance customers: advice may become easier to deliver in shorter, clearer and more targeted formats. For business owners, that could be a welcome development. Key person insurance often sits at the intersection of commercial risk, tax treatment, ownership structure and personal underwriting, so delays or complexity in getting guidance can leave important protection decisions unfinished. - read more
Australia’s ongoing financial advice reform agenda is again putting life insurance access under the spotlight. Recent industry reporting has focused on whether changes to advice rules can make it easier for consumers and business owners to receive practical guidance without adding unnecessary cost or complexity. - read more
Recent industry reporting on APRA’s latest life insurance data suggests Australia’s life insurance sector is entering a more stable phase after several years of pricing pressure, product redesign and sharper claims management. For business owners, that is encouraging news, but it should not be mistaken for a reason to leave key person protection on autopilot. - read more
Australians are living longer, but new industry research suggests those extra years are not always being lived in good health. Zurich’s latest chronic care analysis ranked Australia strongly for health system performance and reduced mortality, yet pointed to a rising morbidity challenge: more people are living with long-term illnesses that can affect work, income and financial resilience. - read more
Keyman insurance, also known as key person insurance, is designed to help a business manage the financial impact of losing a person whose skills, leadership, relationships or knowledge are central to its operations. For Australian startups, small businesses and established companies, it can form part of a wider business continuity and risk management plan. - read more
Keyman insurance is a specialised type of coverage designed to protect businesses from the financial impact of losing critical personnel. This insurance focuses on individuals who play a pivotal role in the operational success of the company, such as founders, directors, or any team members whose absence could disrupt daily functions significantly. - read more
Key personnel insurance, sometimes known as key man insurance, is a form of business insurance designed to protect a company from financial loss due to the death or incapacity of an essential member of the business. This type of policy provides the business with a financial cushion to weather the storm of losing key staff members who are crucial to operations. - read more
Key personnel insurance is a vital component of a robust business strategy. But what exactly does it entail? Essentially, this type of insurance provides financial protection to businesses against the loss of essential staff members whose absence could critically disrupt operations. - read more
Knowledgebase
Loss of Use: Insurance coverage that pays for the additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.