Each week, Insurance for Strata brings you a clear, no-fuss wrap of the biggest Australian strata and insurance stories. We filter regulatory updates, premium trends, weather and catastrophe impacts, building compliance developments, and notable claims decisions into a quick, reliable brief. Designed for committees, strata managers, and property stakeholders, it helps you stay informed, spot emerging risks, and understand what’s changing across states—so you can make confident, timely decisions without wading through headlines.
This Week:
Severe storms in Queensland and NSW have driven an industry catastrophe response, with on‑the‑ground hubs and more than 44,000 claims. BoM confirms a weak La Niña that can still intensify storms, prompting maintenance and policy checks for strata buildings. AFCAs latest decision reinforces policyholders rights to access information used in claim assessments. And the Insurance Council urges cuts to insurance tax red tape, highlighting stamp duty and levies as key cost drivers. Practical takeaways: document damage, lodge early, maintain common property, keep records, and work with brokers to balance compliance and coverage.
EPISODE 961 | Insurance for Strata Weekly News Wrap | Sat, 6th Dec 2025
7 Dec 2025 | Paige Estritori
00:00:00
00:00:00
1x
Read Full Transcript:
Hello and welcome to Insurance for Strata Weekly News Wrap, Im Paige Estritori, and its Saturday, 6 December 2025.
First up, severe thunderstorms and giant hail across Queensland and New South Wales have triggered an industry catastrophe response. Insurers have set up on‑the‑ground hubs from Bribie Island through Logan and Moreton Bay, with more than forty‑four thousand claims already lodged and rising. For strata committees, this is your cue to document damage, make properties safe, and lodge claims early. Lean on your broker for triage, temporary accommodation arrangements, and to keep assessments moving while trades are stretched.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology, or BoM, says La Niña has returned, likely weak and short‑lived, but still capable of boosting moisture and intensifying storms and cyclones. That means wetter spells and bursty downpours into summer for parts of eastern Australia. Check roofs, gutters and drains, review your strata insurance policys storm, flood and temporary accommodation clauses, and ensure after‑hours contacts are current so common‑property issues get actioned fast.
On claims handling, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, or AFCA, ordered compensation in a case where an insurer refused to provide call recordings that were relied on in a storm claim decision. Its a reminder that, when a claim is disputed, policyholders can request the information used to assess it. Committees should keep detailed records, ask for decision evidence in writing, and have your broker escalate early if communications stall.
And today, the Insurance Council of Australia has asked government to cut tax red tape on general insurance. State stamp duties and emergency services levies, layered on top of GST, can add roughly twenty to forty per cent to premiums in some jurisdictions, and differing rules increase admin costs. Nothing changes overnight, but it helps explain budget pressures on strata insurance. Build taxes and charges into levy planning, and have your broker compare structures and cover options to balance compliance and value.
Thats the wrap. For clear guides, comparisons and help with quotes, visit insurance-for-strata.com.au. Im Paige Estritori—talk to you next week.
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.
Follow us!
We are a proud member of the Financial Services Online network!
Connect with us on your favourite social media platform for the latest financial news, views, tips, tricks, resources and information.
In February 2025, an independent review conducted by McGrathNicol uncovered significant issues within Netstrata, a prominent strata management company. The investigation revealed that Netstrata failed to disclose commissions and did not obtain multiple quotes for services, potentially breaching legal obligations. Additionally, the review identified undisclosed personal relationships between Netstrata employees and suppliers, raising serious concerns about conflicts of interest. - read more
In May 2025, NSW Fair Trading took decisive action against Result Strata Management Pty Ltd and its General Manager, Michael Lee, by permanently revoking their licences to operate in the state's strata management sector. This move followed an investigation that uncovered multiple breaches of the Property and Stock Agents Act 2002, highlighting significant misconduct within the company. - read more
In November 2025, CHU, Australia's largest strata insurance underwriting agency, released its 2025 State of the Strata Market report, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current trends and challenges within the strata industry. The report offers valuable insights into premium trends, climate-related risks, regulatory developments, and emerging sector challenges. - read more
If you own a strata property, understanding your insurance is crucial. Strata insurance is a specific type of cover that protects shared and common property under a strata title or body corporate arrangement. This can include everything from the building itself to shared driveways, gardens, pools, or car parks. - read more
Strata insurance is a vital component of property ownership in Australia, particularly for those involved in apartment living or owning units within a shared building. It provides financial protection against various risks, ensuring that common areas, building structures, and shared amenities are covered in the event of damage or loss. This type of insurance is not just a safeguard for individual owners but a legal necessity, mandated by Australian law. - read more
In Australia, strata insurance is a crucial part of property ownership, offering peace of mind and financial protection. It's essential for property owners to understand what strata insurance entails and why it's so important. - read more
Strata insurance is a specialized form of coverage tailored for property owners living in multi-unit complexes. Understanding its intricacies can be crucial for ensuring that all aspects of shared ownership and communal property responsibilities are adequately protected. - read more
Knowledgebase
Professional indemnity: An insurance that provides cover for liability incurred in the course of exercising a profession.
