Life Insurers Aim for Harmony with Financial Advisers

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.

Christine Cupitt, the Chief Executive of CALI, asserted during a Senate Economics Legislation Committee hearing that the distinction between life insurers' advice and financial advisers’ roles will be maintained and clarified.

"Our goal is to supplement the crucial and invaluable work done by financial advisers rather than obstruct it," Cupitt shared with the committee.

She elaborated on CALI's collaboration with the Federal Government, emphasizing the need for legislative frameworks that would permit life insurers to dispense straightforward product-specific advice to customers upon request.

"Naturally, this should be governed by stringent constraints and robust consumer protections," Cupitt added.

Cupitt stressed the importance of not diverting potential customers who call their service centers with basic questions, pointing out that delivering simple and direct answers is an essential element of customer service.

"For clients presenting more complex needs, life insurers will continue to refer them to financial planners capable of offering comprehensive advice, including product comparisons across the market," Cupitt said.

Christine Cupitt’s statements, as reported by Financial Standard, clarify that while the CALI seeks to provide fundamental, product-specific guidance to customers, they have no intentions of encroaching on the advisory space traditionally held by financial advisers.

Published:Saturday, 15th Jun 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:

Insurance News

Clear

Seasonal Bushfire Risk Puts Farm Cover Back in the Spotlight

09 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s latest seasonal bushfire outlook is a practical reminder that fire risk is not confined to the height of summer. For many farms, the exposure begins well before a catastrophic fire day is declared, as grass growth, drying winds, stored fodder, machinery movement and access limitations combine to create a more complex risk profile than a standard rural home policy can address. - read more

Why Repair Bottlenecks Matter for Farm Insurance Claims

02 Sep 2026: Paige Estritori

Fresh industry concern about repair delays after severe weather is highly relevant for Australian farms, where a damaged shed, washed-out access track or unavailable part can quickly interrupt day-to-day operations. While the wider insurance discussion often focuses on homes and commercial buildings, the same pressure points can be even more complex on rural properties because assets are spread out, specialist equipment is involved and local contractor availability may be limited. - read more

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

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

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

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

Click for more Insurance News