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Industry bulletin
NIBA PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The President of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), Dianne Phelan has announced that the Association’s Board has appointed Philip Kewin as the new Chief Executive O cer (CEO).
Kewin will join NIBA on 16 August 2021 to commence a period of transition, working closely with the current Chief Executive O cer, Dallas Booth, who will retire from the role on 31 October 2021.
Phelan, pictured below, said, “The NIBA Board acknowledges the significant contribution outgoing CEO Dallas Booth has made for the benefit of all members. He will be missed and we look forward to a more formal acknowledgement of Dallas later in October.”
Philip Kewin joins NIBA following a long career in financial services, most recently as Chief Executive O cer at the Association of Financial Advisers, a role he has held for the last four years. He has been extensively involved in representing the interests of AFA members and the financial advice industry more broadly, particularly with the Federal Government, the Federal regulator, ASIC, as well as other key industry bodies and stakeholders. During his tenure, he oversaw significant growth of AFA members at a time when total adviser numbers were shrinking.
Prior to his four years’ service at the AFA, Kewin was responsible for the Adviser Life Risk and Investment business at Zurich Australia, including five years as General Manager of Life and Investments. Prior to Zurich, he had his own financial planning business.
Phelan revealed that the NIBA Board Succession Committee undertook an extensive search process in conjunction with a professional recruitment firm. Arrangements will be made for Kewin to meet members, key stakeholders and other industry representatives after he joins the organisation, confirmed Phelan.
COVID-19 INDEMNITY SCHEME
The Federal Government has announced that it is establishing a COVID-19 Vaccine Claim Scheme to provide assurance and confidence to patients and health professionals in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt has revealed in the event someone su ers a significant adverse reaction, causing injury and economic loss because of vaccination, the Scheme will help guide potential claimants through a no-fault claims process scheme.
Under the scheme, proven claims will be able to receive appropriate compensation without the need of formal court processes. Potential claimants accessing the scheme will still have the option of pursuing action through a court judgement if that is their preference.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme will be backdated to the start of the national vaccine rollout – 22 February 2021 – and will be linked to the Human Biosecurity Emergency Period under the Biosecurity Act 2015. The scheme will support claims made against privately practising health professionals who administer a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Details of the COVID-19 Vaccine Claims Scheme will be finalised in consultation with peak bodies, indemnity insurers, patient groups and states and territories.
For breaking news and updates curated specially for insurance brokers please visit: niba.com.au/articles
The National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) CEO Dallas Booth has welcomed the new General Insurance Code of Practice as the new benchmark commitment by insurers and their representatives towards policyholders and consumers.
Booth said, “There are a number of significant changes in the new General Insurance Code, particularly in relation to vulnerable customers and customers in financial distress. Insurance brokers acting on behalf of insurers will adopt and follow the new General Insurance Code requirements. In addition, NIBA will ensure the new Insurance Brokers Code of Practice will be consistent with the General Insurance Code when the Insurance Brokers Code is finalised later this year.”
E ective 1 July 2021, the updated General Insurance Code includes strengthened customer protections in line with community expectations and has been developed by insurers in consultation with a range of stakeholders including consumer groups.
Features of the new General Insurance Code include: • Sanctions for significant Code breaches of up to $100,000 in the form of Community Benefit Payments • Independent enforcement through the
Code Governance Committee (CGC) • Cost comparisons between new and previous policies on renewal notices • Responsibility for quality of repair work undertaken on behalf of insurers • Streamlined complaints process • Mandatory standards for claims investigators • Clear timeframes to respond to claims, complaints and information requests • Cash settlements better explained.
If an insurer is found to have significantly breached the Code, one of the sanctions available to the CGC is to impose a penalty in the form of a Community Benefit Payment of up to $100,000.
For breaking news and updates curated specially for insurance brokers please visit: niba.com.au/articles
CELEBRATING THE EXCELLENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM IN INSURANCE BROKING
NIBA has now revealed the five region winners of its two awards, which recognise excellence in the insurance broking profession.
The Broker of the Year Award, sponsored by QBE, goes to an individual broker who is deemed an inspirational role model for the broking community, and has demonstrated excellence in broking practice and client advocacy. The Young Professional Broker of the Year Award, sponsored by Vero, recognises the broking industry’s rising stars under the age of 35.
NIBA CEO Dallas Booth congratulated the winners of the state awards, adding: “We wish all the winners the very best of luck for the national titles and congratulate all the finalists who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and competence in the insurance broking profession.
“We had a significant number of applications this year and the finalists represent the cream of the crop.”
2021 NSW/ACT Awards
Broker of the Year
Winner: Craig Claughton of Marsh Finalists: Leo Driessen of Driessen Insurance Brokers and Amanda Morris of Arma Insurance Brokers Hunter Valley Young Professional Broker of the Year Winner: Megan Farmer of Markey Insurance & Risk Finalists: Kayla Smith of Ian Jones Insurance Brokers Newcastle and Lindsay Turner of Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers 2021 Qld Awards
Broker of the Year
Winner: Tony Venning of Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors Finalists: David Kimber of Austbrokers Comsure and Tamara Trotman of Aon
Young Professional Broker of the Year Winner: Alishia Oliver of Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors Finalists: Taela Bloemers of CorpSure Insurance Broking, Lachlan Hastings of Aon and Scott Mitchell of Cornerstone Risk Group 2021 Vic/Tas Awards
Broker of the Year
Winner: Ian Goninon of Capital Innovation Insurance Group Finalists: Andrew Arcuri of Arcuri & Associates, Mark O’Reilly of Austbrokers Countrywide and Robert Villano of Network Insurance Group Young Professional Broker of the Year Winner: Mitchell Wight of Integral Insurance Services Finalists: Ashleigh Woodman of Lockton Companies Australia and Maxine Neville of Aon Risk Solutions 2021 WA Awards
Broker of the Year
Winner: Jeff Booth of GSK Insurance Brokers Finalists: Sarsha Neal of Marsh and Sumit Sopori of Imperium Insurance & Financial Solutions
Young Professional Broker of the Year Winner: Luke Cameron of Albany District Insurance Brokers Finalists: Joel Middleton of Knightcorp Insurance Brokers and Robbie Gibbs of Risk Guidance Insurance 2021 SA/NT Awards
Broker of the Year
Winner: Karen Skinner of MGA Insurance Brokers Finalist: Kate Edgar of CBD Insurance Services
Young Professional Broker of the Year
Winner: Pat McCole of Aon Finalists: Jasmine Miller of PSC Insurance Brokers and Nikia Goers of Webber Insurance Services The national Stephen Ball Memorial Award for Insurance Broker of the Year and Warren Tickle Memorial Award for Young Professional Broker of the Year will be chosen from five region winners and announced during the 2021 NIBA Convention.
