Farm Insurance :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Medical Professional Coverage Costs Under Scrutiny

Medical Professional Coverage Costs Under Scrutiny

Medical Professional Coverage Costs Under Scrutiny?w=400

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.

Amid rising concerns, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has flagged the escalating expenses associated with indemnity insurance premiums as a serious issue that demands attention.

Following a heated discussion at a recent national conference held on the Gold Coast, the AMA and its New South Wales branch convened with a number of medical defence organisations to tackle this pressing matter.

During these meetings, participants delved into changes in healthcare delivery and the evolving scopes of medical practice—factors contributing significantly to the rising costs within the medical indemnity sector.

According to a statement published on the AMA’s website, the Medical Defence Organisations (MDOs), which largely operate as member-based mutual entities, acknowledged the industry's growing unease. They shared global insurance market trends and emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication and collaborative efforts with the AMA to address systemic policy issues. Despite the need for cooperation, the constraints of competition law were noted as a limiting factor.

The organizations represented at the meeting included key industry players such as Avant, MDA National, Medical Indemnity Protection Society, MIGA, and Tego.

In its latest report, Avant informed Insurance News that their average rate increments have managed to remain below inflation for several renewal periods. Nevertheless, certain specialized fields have experienced sharp double-digit rate hikes due to specific claim frequencies and severities, affecting less than 1% of their membership.

Published:Wednesday, 4th Sep 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

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.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

Insurance Tax Debate Puts Farm Premiums Back in Focus
Insurance Tax Debate Puts Farm Premiums Back in Focus
26 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Renewed industry pressure to reduce insurance taxes has put affordability back in the spotlight for rural and regional Australia. The latest debate centres on the extra costs added to insurance through state-based duties, levies and other charges, which can make already expensive cover harder to maintain for households and businesses exposed to flood, bushfire, storm and cyclone risk. - read more
Why Claims Disputes Should Prompt a Farm Insurance Review
Why Claims Disputes Should Prompt a Farm Insurance Review
19 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Recent complaints data from the Australian Financial Complaints Authority has again highlighted a pressure point that matters to rural Australia: insurance claims can become difficult when expectations, policy wording and evidence do not line up. While the figures cover the wider insurance market rather than farms alone, the themes are highly relevant for agricultural businesses dealing with storm damage, fire losses, machinery failures, fencing repairs or interrupted operations. - read more
Wetter Weather Forecast Puts Rural Cover Under the Microscope
Wetter Weather Forecast Puts Rural Cover Under the Microscope
12 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia's latest seasonal weather signals have again pushed rainfall risk into the foreground for rural and regional businesses. While conditions vary sharply between districts, a wetter outlook for parts of the country is a useful reminder that risk planning should not wait until paddocks are already saturated, creek crossings are cut or machinery is bogged at harvest. - read more
Underinsurance Warning Lands at a Critical Time for Farms
Underinsurance Warning Lands at a Critical Time for Farms
04 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori
Fresh insurance industry concern about underinsurance is especially relevant for Australian farmers as rebuilding and replacement costs remain stubbornly high. While the issue is often discussed in relation to houses, the same pressure applies across rural assets: sheds, fencing, pumps, tanks, grain storage, livestock yards, irrigation equipment and machinery can all cost significantly more to replace than they did when a policy was first arranged. - read more
Why Climate Risk Is Back on the Farm Insurance Agenda
Why Climate Risk Is Back on the Farm Insurance Agenda
28 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia's general insurance sector has again put natural hazard resilience at the centre of the affordability debate, with fresh industry commentary warning that floods, bushfires, storms and cyclones are continuing to reshape how risk is priced. For farmers, this is not an abstract policy discussion. It goes directly to the cost and availability of farm insurance, particularly for properties with older buildings, exposed machinery, flood-prone access roads, boundary fencing, stored fodder or high-value livestock. - read more
What Allianz’s Farm Cover Revamp Means for Farmers
What Allianz’s Farm Cover Revamp Means for Farmers
21 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Allianz Australia has refreshed its farm pack insurance, with the updated product announced on 20 July 2026. For farmers and rural property owners, the significance is less about one insurer changing a product and more about what it signals across the broader farm insurance market: insurers are trying to make cover easier to understand while adjusting policy features to better match modern farming operations. - read more



Farm Insurance Articles

Farm Insurance, Workers Compensation and Contractor Risks in Australia
Farm Insurance, Workers Compensation and Contractor Risks in Australia
Australian farms that use employees, contractors, seasonal labour, family help or volunteers need to understand how workers compensation, public liability and contractor insurance can interact. This article explains the key insurance issues to review, why state and territory rules matter, and what farm operators should check before people start work. - read more
Income Protection Insurance for Hobby Farmers: What to Consider
Income Protection Insurance for Hobby Farmers: What to Consider
Hobby farming may not be your main source of income, but it can still be financially important. If illness or injury prevents you from working, income protection insurance may help replace part of your income while you recover, depending on the policy terms. - read more
Agribusiness Liability Risks Facing Australian Farmers
Agribusiness Liability Risks Facing Australian Farmers
Australian farming businesses face liability risks that go well beyond crop production and livestock management. From visitor injuries and unsafe produce to chemical use, worker safety, machinery incidents and emerging technology risks, understanding where liability can arise is an important part of protecting a farm's long-term resilience. - read more
Farm Business Interruption Insurance and Loss of Income Cover Explained
Farm Business Interruption Insurance and Loss of Income Cover Explained
Farm business interruption insurance may help protect farm income and cover certain extra costs when an insured event disrupts operations. This guide explains how it works, what it may cover, where it differs from personal income protection and crop insurance, and what to check before relying on it. - read more
Farm Succession Planning for Rural Australian Families
Farm Succession Planning for Rural Australian Families
Farm succession is the planned transfer of farm ownership, management and knowledge from one generation to the next. For rural Australian families, it can involve complex family, legal, financial and operational decisions, so starting early and using a structured process can help reduce uncertainty. - read more
Farm Equipment Insurance in Australia: What Rural Businesses Should Know
Farm Equipment Insurance in Australia: What Rural Businesses Should Know
Farm equipment insurance helps rural Australians manage the financial risk of damage, theft or loss involving essential agricultural machinery. Understanding what may be covered, what is commonly excluded and how claims are handled can make it easier to compare policies and keep cover aligned with changing farm operations. - read more

Need a Quote?
Start your free farm insurance quote comparison here.
Farm Type:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.


Knowledgebase
Whole Life Insurance:
A type of life insurance that provides coverage for the insured's entire lifetime, with a savings component that builds cash value.