Money-au

Choice Urges Home Owners To Be Cautious When Buying Home Insurance

Choice, the consumer group is advising consumers who live in places that are prone to flooding from taking out insurance in an irresponsible manner, whilst at the same time heavily criticizing the industry according to the insurance council.

Recently the advisory group held its annual Shonky Awards, where the group awarded lemon trophies for dubious dodgy and deceitful goods and services. Choice singled out the insurance industry, following this summer’s flooding in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

Shares Of Australian Insures Drop As Investors Fret Over Japan

Shares of Australian insurers that have exposure to Japan are vulnerable to sell offs amid investor fears that reinsurance costs will soar. Australia’s largest insurer QBE Insurance Group also has the biggest exposure to Japan warned on Monday that it expects net claims of US$125 million. Its shares fell by 1 per cent on Monday, whilst rival Insurance Australia Group saw its share price decline by 2.6 per cent, with Suncorp falling 1.3 per cent. Neither IAG nor Suncorp have any exposure to Japan, but their shares still sold off as investors expressed concern that the two companies would be negatively impacted by rising reinsurance costs.

IAG Posts 51 Per Cent Half Year Profit Decline

Australian insurance major IAG reaffirming recent guidance given to investors posted a 51 per cent decline in first have net profit.

IAG’s first half profit for the six months ending December 31 fell 51 per cent to $161 million from $329 million during the same time period in the previous year.