SPOTLIGHT / Meet the state finalists of the 2026 Broker of the Year Awards
What does being a trusted adviser mean to you beyond the transaction, and how does that expertise show up when things get difficult for a client? For me, being a trusted adviser means being more than just the person who arranges insurance. It means understanding a client’s business and industry, their goals, the risks they face — and then being available to support them throughout their journey, adding value in every interaction possible. Anyone can provide a quote or place a policy. Trust and respect are earned over time through genuine relationships, a consistent duty of care, and doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Clients value knowing they can pick up the phone and speak to someone who understands their business and will give them practical guidance when the unexpected occurs. When things become difficult — whether it’s a significant claim, a project issue, a contractual requirement or a coverage dispute — our role becomes even more important. That’s when experience, industry knowledge and strong insurer relationships make a real difference. We help clients understand their options, advocate on their behalf, share relevant case studies and, where appropriate, point them towards regulators or other resources that can assist. Staying composed, making clients aware of every option available and standing by them — that is what the role demands. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Broker of the Year mean to you? Being named a finalist is a deeply meaningful recognition and one of the highest honours in our profession. It brings both a sense of pride and a strong sense of responsibility — to continue leading with integrity, advocating strongly for clients and upholding high standards in every aspect of my work. Given the rigour of the selection and interview process led by NIBA and award partner CGU, this recognition is also a moment of reflection. It reinforces that my commitment to client advocacy, professionalism and ethical practice is making a positive impact within the industry. And it has inspired me to keep raising my own standards — so I can contribute to a profession that continues to earn the respect of clients, peers and the wider business community.
“Clients today can Google a policy, compare prices on an aggregator and have cover in place within minutes. What they often end up with is a product that hasn’t been properly matched to their risk, and a gap they won’t discover until they need to claim.”
Kunal Monga, Arcuri & Associates VIC/TAS State Finalist
language that empowers clients to make confident decisions. That’s not something an algorithm can replicate. What does being a trusted adviser mean to you beyond the transaction, and how does that expertise show up when things get difficult for a client? Being a trusted adviser means being the person a client calls when something goes wrong — not just when they need a renewal processed. Anyone can place a policy. What clients remember is how you show up at claim time. I’ve sat with genuinely distressed clients — a business owner whose premises had flooded or suffered fire damage, a professional facing an unexpected liability claim — and in those moments, the relationship either proves itself or it doesn’t. For me, showing up is about being proactive before the call even comes. It’s reviewing policy wordings carefully to avoid surprises, negotiating with insurers on the client’s behalf and staying engaged until the issue is resolved — not just until the paperwork is lodged. Beyond the technical work, it means being calm, clear and honest — especially when the outcome isn’t what the client had hoped for. That’s when real trust is built. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Broker of the Year mean to you? It means more than I expected, if I’m being honest. When I look back at the journey — from coaching insurance teams in New Zealand to building a broking practice here in Australia — being named one of 14 finalists feels like a genuine validation of that path. More than personal recognition, it reflects the trust my clients have placed in me with their businesses and livelihoods, the support of my colleagues at Arcuri & Associates, and the encouragement of my family through every late night and early morning. It also carries a sense of responsibility. Being visible at this level provides a platform to demonstrate what quality broking looks like — to clients, to the broader industry, and to the next generation of brokers starting out. I don’t take that lightly.
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession?
My journey into insurance broking wasn’t a straight line — and that’s what makes it meaningful. I spent several years in financial services across New Zealand and Australia, in roles that kept bringing me back to the same question: how do we genuinely protect people and their businesses? Insurance was always at the centre of that. At ASB Bank and later Kiwibank in New Zealand, I moved into an Insurance Manager and Coach role, responsible for guiding branch teams and embedding quality insurance advice into everyday conversations. That experience sparked something — I realised I wanted to go deeper and become the specialist, not just the coach. Moving into full broking at Arcuri & Associates in Melbourne gave me that opportunity. The ability to properly analyse risk, access multiple insurers and advocate for the best outcome for each client is where I found my place. What’s the biggest challenge you think the profession needs to be ready for in the near future? information overload. Clients today can Google a policy, compare prices on an aggregator and have cover in place within minutes. On the surface, that looks like progress. But what they often end up with is a product that hasn’t been properly matched to their risk, and a gap they won’t discover until they need to claim. Our challenge as brokers is to clearly articulate why professional advice matters in a world where everything feels instantly accessible. We need to be visible, vocal and deeply credible — not just at renewal time, but throughout the year. The brokers who will thrive are those who invest in relationships, stay technically sharp and can translate complex risk into plain I think the biggest challenge — and opportunity — is trust in the age of
30 / INSURANCE ADVISER JUNE/JULY 2026
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