The introduction of choice of fund legislation will help drive a pick-up in the risk insurance sector in Australia, according to AXA’s general manager, Financial Protection, Tassin Barnard.
Barnard told a conference in early February that three factors were contributing to a more promising outlook for risk insurance in Australia:
n industry action to address the issue of under insurance;
n the overhaul by leading insurance companies of their current marketing and distribution practices; and
n the introduction of the Federal Government’s superannuation choice legislation.
Barnard said choice would be beneficial to super fund members, providers, financial advisers and the financial service sector generally, while ultimately having broad community benefits through its encouragement of personal savings.
“By creating a specific reason for people to review their current super arrangements, choice will also lead to discussion about other forms of savings and investments,” she said.
Barnard also said she did not believe the choice regime would lead to a battle between competing funds for members.
The insurance company has joined this year’s awards as a principal partner.
The $135 billion fund has transitioned away from TAL Life Insurance following an “extensive tender process”.
The $80 billion fund is facing legal action over allegedly signing up new members to income protection insurance by default without active member consent.
In a Senate submission, the Financial Services Council has once again called for further clarification that the government will assess the consumer outcomes of group insurance against the enshrined objective of superannuation.