NIBA Insurance Adviser December 2025

The December issue of NIBA's bimonthly magazine.

Magazine for the General Intermediated Insurance Profession

DECEMBER 2025

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE

Features

KEEPING MANUFACTURING MOVING

ISSUE 12 – A NIBA BROKERS’ GUIDE: TO LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY IN INSURANCE

DECADE OF RISKS & OPPORTUNITIES

BROKERS: THE BACKBONE OF AUSTRALIA

NIBA’S YEAR IN REVIEW

WE ARE YOUR VOICE

CONTENTS December 2025

ACN 006 093 849 ABN 94 006 093 849

Insurance Adviser magazine is the bimonthly (once every two months) magazine of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA). Insurance Adviser magazine is published by NIBA Publisher Richard Klipin, CEO, NIBA E: rklipin@niba.com.au W: niba.com.au NIBA Editor Virat Nehru Editorial enquiries E: editor@niba.com.au National Partnerships Manager Wayne Egelton E: wegelton@niba.com.au Design Clutch Digital www.clutchdigital.com.au NIBA gives no warranty and makes no representation that the information contained in this magazine is, and will remain, suitable for any purpose or free from error. To the extent permitted by law, NIBA excludes responsibility and liability in respect of any loss arising in any way (including by way of negligence) from reliance on the information contained in this magazine or otherwise in connection with it. The contents of Insurance Adviser are protected by copyright and NIBA reserves its rights in this regard.

8 NIBA’S YEAR IN REVIEW NIBA’s transformative year of delivering for members and advocating for the profession

A Year in Review 1 NOVEMBER 2024 TO 31 OCTOBER 2025

18 CONVENTION WRAP Relive the key highlights from the flagship event of the insurance broking profession

2025 NIBA Convention Wrap Up

A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to leveraging technology in insurance ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL Embracing digital transformation:

32 ISSUE 12: A NIBA BROKERS’ GUIDE Embracing digital transformation and leveraging technology in insurance

ISSUE 12 - DECEMBER 2025

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NIBA .COM.AU / 3

CONTENTS December 2025

SPECIAL FEATURES

48 KEEPING MANUFACTURING MOVING The need for trusted guidance in the manufacturing sector

56 2025-2035: A DECADE OF RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES Are brokers ready for the evolving risk landscape in the decade ahead?

IN EVERY ISSUE NIBA CEO Welcome��6 EVENTS Upcoming State Events��30 REFERENCE Community Hub��70 Ratings��74

64 BROKERS: THE BACKBONE OF AUSTRALIA NIBA’s report outlines the value brokers add to the Australian economy

DISPLAY ADVERTISING INDEX – DECEMBER 2025

ANZIIF�� 63 Cylo�� 67 CGU��OBC

QBE�� 53 CHU�� 55 CGU�� 59 Allianz�� 61

Vero�� IFC BMIA��5 Zurich��7 Liberty�� 51

If you’d like to advertise your products and services through NIBA, please contact Wayne Egelton today on 0481 196 820

4 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

you!

CEO / Welcome

A Transformative Year

As we near the end of 2025, it’s a moment to pause, reflect and, importantly, say thank you. This has been a year of transformation and momentum for NIBA. Together, we have embraced change, strengthened our foundations, and continued to build a confident and connected future for brokers across Australia. Through all of this, our focus has remained constant, which is to champion the role of brokers and ensure your voice is heard where it matters most. We have advocated strongly for brokers and to make sure your perspectives are front and centre in policy conversations. We have increased our engagement in Canberra and deepened our relationships with regulators, working collaboratively to support the sustainability and professionalism of our industry. We have also invested in the future of NIBA. This has included introducing a new brand that reflects a more contemporary, confident and future-focused profession, one that builds on over four decades of strong history while looking firmly ahead. We have rolled out a new website and member portal designed to deliver a more streamlined, modern and personalised experience for brokers. These changes are more than cosmetic; they represent a renewed energy and clarity of purpose as we position NIBA to lead the profession into the next decade. Being present where our members are is important. Throughout the year, through regional events and national initiatives, we have reconnected with communities across Australia. Those conversations on the ground have been invaluable in shaping our advocacy and our priorities. Our flagship gathering, the 2025 NIBA Convention, was a powerful expression of this connection and ambition. We welcomed close to 900 delegates, supported by 88 partners and exhibitors across 101 stands, and a program featuring 79 speakers across 34 sessions. The Convention combined professional content with social events that reminded us of the strength, diversity and engagement of the broking community. We also recommenced NIBA-led research this year to provide robust insights into the current environment and the evolving needs of brokers and consumers. This work will inform our strategy over the coming years, ensuring our advocacy and programs remain data-driven, forward- looking and fit for purpose for you and the clients you serve.

A major milestone in this effort has been the launch of our landmark thought-leadership report, Ready or Reacting? Shaping the Future of the Insurance Broking Profession . It sets a decisive agenda for the decade ahead, calling for adaptability and courage to seize opportunity amid accelerating disruption. This is just the beginning. We intend to roll out a series of thought-leadership reports that will help frame the conversation over the course of the coming year. Finally, an important update on the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice. As of writing this note, NIBA has received the Independent Code Reviewer’s report. The NIBA Board is carefully considering the Independent Reviewer’s findings and recommendations, and a formal response will be released soon. We will continue to engage with members and key stakeholders regarding next steps. Codes are fundamentally about trust and confidence. They signal to clients, regulators and the wider community that a profession is prepared to hold itself to account. This is an important opportunity for NIBA to demonstrate leadership on behalf of our members and to reaffirm our commitment to the highest professional standards. On behalf of the NIBA Board, the NIBA team, and our various state and divisional committees, I would like to thank you for your support and engagement through the year. I wish you, your families and your teams a very happy and safe festive season.

See you in 2026 as we look forward to being “Future Ready”.

RICHARD KLIPIN Chief Executive Officer, NIBA

6 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

To all our broker partners, thank you. Together, with your trust and collaboration in 2025, we’ve turned shared conversations and insights into better solutions for our customers. Meet Tomorrow Prepared

With direct access to expert underwriters in every state and an empathetic claims team across Australia, we’ve listened, responded, and worked proactively from quote to claim – because we don’t just cover, we care. In 2026, we look forward to supporting you and your clients in new and meaningful ways. Wishing you and your families a safe and peaceful holiday season. Whatever tomorrow brings, we’ll be right there with you. Helping you meet tomorrow prepared.

To speak to your local Zurich representative scan the QR code.

This information is general advice only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situations or needs. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Policy Wording (as applicable) from zurich.com.au before making a decision. A target market determination is available at zurich.com.au/GI-TMDs or by calling us on 132 687. The issuer of general insurance products is Zurich Australian Insurance Limited (ZAIL), ABN 13 000 296 640, AFS Licence Number 232507 of 118 Mount Street, North Sydney NSW 2060.

MARO-023787-2025

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

NIBA’s Year in Review

This has been a year of transformation and momentum for NIBA. Together, we have embraced change, strengthened our foundations, and continued to build a confident and connected future for brokers across Australia.

Our priority has remained clear: to advocate strongly for brokers and ensure your voice is heard at every level of government. We have increased our engagement in Canberra and with regulators, building practical relationships that support the sustainability and professionalism of our industry. We have also invested in the future of NIBA. This included introducing a new brand to reflect a more contemporary and united profession, building on over four decades of strong history, and progressing work on a new website and member portal system that will deliver a more streamlined and modern experience for brokers. These changes are more than cosmetic; they reflect a renewed energy and clarity of purpose as we position NIBA to lead into the next decade. Being present where our members are has been important. Through regional events and national initiatives, we have reconnected with communities across Australia to listen, understand challenges, and support the work brokers do every day to protect businesses and households.

We also recommenced NIBA-led research this year, a first since 2020, providing key insights into the current environment and the evolving needs of brokers and consumers. This work will inform our strategy over the coming years, ensuring our advocacy and programs continue to be data-driven, forward- looking, and fit for purpose for you and the clients you serve. The theme of Shaping Change has guided us this year. It reflects how we have continued to evolve as a profession, and how we are working together to influence the environment we operate in. As we look to 2026, our focus is on being Future Ready — building on the foundations we have set and supporting you to navigate what comes next with confidence. Over the next few pages, you will find highlights of what the NIBA team, Board, and Committees have delivered this year. Each reflects our shared commitment to progress, professionalism, and the ongoing strength of our community.

Nick Cook President, NIBA

Richard Klipin Chief Executive Officer, NIBA

8 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

Vision and Purpose

VISION

To empower our members and community within the Insurance Broking Profession

NIBA is a membership association that works closely with members to define and deliver the organisations vision ‘to empower our members and community within the Insurance Broking Profession’ and purpose of being ‘the unified voice of the insurance broking profession across Australia’. The NIBA team supports the delivery of the agreed strategy with the President, Vice President and Board of Directors, alongside state and specialist committees focusing on our three strategic pillars of Advocacy, Professionalism and Community. Advocacy

PURPOSE NIBA is the unied voice of the insurance broking profession across Australia

STRATEGIC PILLARS

Advocacy

Professionalism

Community

ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN

Professionalism Community

NIBA advocates as the ‘one voice’ of insurance brokers and the insurance broking profession to: • governments; • regulators; • industry stakeholders; • media; and • the community.

NIBA sets out to develop and promote high standards of professional practice for insurance brokers in Australia through: • industry relevant education and continuing professional development; • a membership that subscribes to the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice; and • a framework for high standards of ethical and professional conduct by Members.

NIBA has an engaged community. Through various events and initiatives throughout the year, NIBA aims to: • provide Members with opportunities to meet, share, learn, grow and prosper; • promote the role and value of insurance brokers to the community; and • promote insurance broking as a profession of choice.

Membership at a Glance

14,264 total members

$34.1 billion in Gross Written Premiums

378

Principal Members

Members by state:

11,220 Brokers/ 3,044 Authorised

Client Servicing

ACT NSW

6.5%

30% 0.5%

TAS VIC WA

Representatives

29% 12%

1,315

QPIB’s

QLD

19%

Source: NIBA Member Data

NIBA .COM.AU / 9

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

Advocacy “ One voice for the insurance broking profession ” Throughout 2025, NIBA has strengthened its voice on behalf of brokers, representing the profession in 78 meetings with federal and state government and regulators, and making 23 formal submissions across key policy areas. From Canberra to capital cities, NIBA continues to ensure brokers are heard, valued, and influential.

NIBA President Nick Cook with Shadow Minister for Financial Services, Mr Pat Conaghan MP.

From L-R: NIBA CEO Richard Klipin, Minister for Financial Services, Dr Daniel Mulino MP, and NIBA President Nick Cook.

78 engagements with government and regulators

NIBA CEO Richard Klipin with NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann.

NIBA Board Director Rebecca Wilson and NIBA CEO Richard Klipin with the Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Work Health and Safety.

NIBA CEO Richard Klipin, Vice-President Rebecca Wilson, and Austbrokers AEI Executive Chairman Tim Wedlock at the Public Accountability and Works Committee.

NIBA CEO Richard Klipin with the Shadow Minister for Small Business, Fair Trading, Work Health and Safety and Building, Tim James MP.

10 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

23 submissions

9 Regulatory Affairs Committee meetings

1 Election Breakfast

Key partners

NIBA .COM.AU / 11

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

NIBA continues to inform and influence through its publications and insights, sharing data, stories, and perspectives that reflect the strength and diversity of the broking profession. This year also marked the first release of a dedicated thought leadership report , ‘Ready or Reacting’, since 2020, reinforcing NIBA’s commitment to driving meaningful conversations across the industry. Advocacy Media

61 Media

Releases

Total Media Reach: 12.9 million Total Media Mentions: 231

Publications

6 editions of

Insurance Adviser magazine

ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL The AI opportunity:

A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to using AI in insurance

ISSUE 11 - APRIL-MAY 2025

allianzengage.com.au

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2025 key topic areas • Resilience & Sustainability • Technology & AI • Economic Landscape

• Evolving Consumers • Regulatory Landscape • Broker Education • Innovation

Inside

122 News

2 Brokers Guides

Articles

12 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

Research and Insights

Regulatory Demands

Technology and Automation

New Risk Landscape

Workforce Changes

Industry Consolidation

Ready or Reacting? Shaping the Future of the Broking Profession

OCTOBER 2025

Innovation in Insurance Products

Education Uplift

National Insurance Brokers Association

Insights in partnership with CBN

Broker as Strategic Adviser

Ready or Reacting? Shaping the Future of the Broking Profession report

Insights derived from:

13 Industry Leader interviews

418 broker survey responses

400+ consumer survey responses

7 Broker pathway interviews

The Economic Value of Broking

State of the Sector

Coming soon

Education and Pathways into the Profession

The Consumer Voice

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NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

Professionalism NIBA continues to lead the profession in raising standards, promoting accountability, and recognising excellence. The review of the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice has been a major focus this year, a substantial body of work shaped through extensive consultation and collaboration to ensure every voice and perspective was heard. Alongside this, NIBA’s awards, mentoring, CPD, and research programs have continued to strengthen professionalism and celebrate achievement across the broking community. Code Review Insure Your Future

42 stakeholders 3 roundtables 18 written submissions 18 code committee meetings “The Code sets the benchmark for professionalism and consumer trust in broking.”

9 career expos attended

Mentoring Program

27 volunteers

CPD

96 program

1,096 2,115

participants in 6 states

CPD courses accredited

Total hours of CPD accredited

NIBA CPD events delivered

14 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

Community NIBA continues to strengthen its presence across the regions, creating opportunities for brokers to connect, learn, and celebrate together. From state and regional events to new initiatives in Canberra and Tasmania, our focus has been on being where our members are, building community, visibility, and engagement across the country. Engagement & Events

30 6

in person events

webinars

11 7700+ cities attendees

Vic 8 SA 3

NSW 8

Qld 6

WA 3

National 7

Tas 1

ACT 1

Social Engagement

740,000 impressions

11% engagement rate (average is 2.5% for financial services)

12,000 followers

NIBA .COM.AU / 15

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

NIBA Operations

This year has seen important progress behind the scenes at NIBA. We introduced a new brand to reflect a contemporary and united profession, building on more than 40 years of history and legacy, and advanced the development of a new website and member portal system that will deliver a more streamlined and modern experience for brokers. Together, these changes reflect a connected and confident NIBA, built to support brokers and their businesses well into the future.

Coming mid-November

16 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / NIBA’s Year in Review

Thank You NIBA’s achievements are made possible through the collective efforts of our Board and Committee volunteers and partners across Australia. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the profession and for standing alongside NIBA as we continue to represent, connect, and strengthen the broking community. Your trust and collaboration enable us to deliver meaningful initiatives that make a lasting impact.

NIBA Board

Divisional Committees

Specialist Committees

10 Committees 7 Sub-committees 58 Meetings 133 Volunteers

NEW

ACT Sub-Committee Young Professionals

NSW/ACT

Convention

NEW

Education

QLD

Young Professionals

Insure Your Future

NEW

NT Sub-Committee Young Professionals TAS Sub-Committee Young Professionals

SA/NT

Mentoring

VIC/TAS

Regulatory Affairs

2025 Principal Partners

Platinum

Silver

Bronze

NIBA .COM.AU / 17

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

2025 NIBA Convention Wrap Up

Welcome to the wrap of the 2025 NIBA Convention – Shaping Change – and the flagship event of the insurance broking profession. This document provides the Convention highlights and feedback from delegates, partners and stakeholders. NIBA broke records again this year with close to 900 delegates, 88 partners and exhibitors across 101 stands and a program featuring 79 speakers across 34 sessions, as well as memorable and outstanding social events. The theme for this year’s Convention was ‘Shaping Change’, highlighting the pivotal role

that insurance brokers play in helping families, businesses and communities navigate a dynamic landscape. The NIBA Convention provides the platform for the profession to showcase our unity of purpose – ‘one voice, one community’ - and connect and learn. We’d like to acknowledge all our partners and exhibitors including Principal Partners Allianz, CGU, QBE, Vero and Zurich. Your support ensures that we can continue to deliver on our promise of excellent content, connection and showcasing excellence and bring the whole broking community together. Finally thank you to the Convention Committee and NIBA Board for your ongoing support and expertise.

Richard Klipin CEO

Lynette Walsh Convention Chair

18 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Convention statistics

92% of delegates rated the quality of content and speakers as good or excellent!

Delegate numbers

2019 2023 2024 2025

739

755

780

85% 93.5% of delegates rated their overall experience at the Convention 8 out of 10 and above. of delegates rated the venue as either good or excellent.

890

principal partners 5

activation partners 16

101 stands 88

exhibitors across

Delegate Demographics

Male Female

43%

57%

Program sessions and content rated highly by delegates were:

The top three Convention highlights were rated as:

By Age

▶ The Welcome Function kicking off and setting the tone for the Convention ▶ The opportunities to network and interact across the insurance sector ▶ The Wellness Hub – Puppies & Goats!

28%

1. John Maclean 2. Dom Thurbon 3. Brooke Hanson's Breakout Session 4. The Great Debate 5. Jason Disborough

25%

19%

10%

14%

By State

$94,000 raised for

ACT NSW

Charity Partners

336

QLD

203

What can NIBA do to improve in 2026?

TAS VIC WA

Diversify session formats to reduce reliance on panel discussions and increase audience engagement.

Achieve a better balance between session timings and the awards component of the Gala Dinner, ensuring ample time for networking, socialising, and lunch breaks.

Enhance traffic flow and overall attendee movement within the Marketplace.

231

50 14

International

Undisclosed: 2

NIBA .COM.AU / 19

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

New in 2025 Every year we strive to raise the bar and this year included a host of fresh new features designed to foster connection, inspire new ways of thinking, energise and inspire delegates.

Tennis Tournament - in partnership with CHUBB

Golf Tournament - in partnership with Liberty Specialty Markets

First Timers Event

Paint & Sip

Morning Masterclasses

Wellness Hub - Puppies, Goats, Boxing & Yoga

Fringe Stage

20 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Celebrating Excellence NIBA’s award program celebrates the best in insurance in Australia each year and highlights the achievements of leading professionals and companies in the insurance broking profession and the wider insurance industry. Congratulations to all winners and finalists and to the award partners for your ongoing support.

2025 National Young Broker of the Year

2025 National Broker of the Year

Broker of the Year Caleb Richards, Gallagher In Partnership with CGU

Young Broker of the Year James Still, Still Insured In Partnership with Vero

2025 NIBA Claims Broker of the Year

2025 NIBA Community Excellence Member

Community Excellence Member of the Year Kieran Volpe, North Queensland Insurance Brokers In Partnership with Liberty Speciality Markets

Claims Broker of the Year Wendy Ford, Aon

In Partnership with Sedgwick

NIBA .COM.AU / 21

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Celebrating Excellence

2025 Lex McKeown Trophy

2025 Large General Insurer of the Year

Vero named 2025 Large General Insurer of the Year

Lex McKeown Award Winner Ron Smith, BJS Insurance

2025 Specialty Insurer of the Year

2025 Underwriting Agency of the Year

NTI wins 2025 Underwriting Agency of the Year

Liberty Speciality Markets awarded 2025 Specialty Insurer of the Year

22 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Connecting at NIBA The lively and engaging social events offered numerous opportunities to connect with both familiar and new colleagues.

NIBA Tennis Tournament supported by Chubb

NIBA Golf Tournament supported by Liberty Specialty Markets

Paint & Sip

NIBA .COM.AU / 23

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Welcome Reception

24 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Gala Dinner and Awards

NIBA .COM.AU / 25

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Partners Thank you to our partners for your generous support.

PRINCIPAL PARTNERS

PLENARY SESSION (KEYNOTE SPEAKER)

WRITING PADS & PENS

BARISTA

RECHARGE LOUNGE

NAME BADGE AND LANYARD SPONSOR

360 PHOTO BOOTH & CONCURRENT SESSION

NIBA TENNIS TOURNAMENT

WELCOME FUNCTION

JUICE BAR

APP

WIFI

BARISTA

NIBA GOLF TOURNAMENT

HOLE ACTIVATION PARTNERS

BANKING PARTNER & BUSINESS LOUNGE

BARISTA

GELATO BAR

PLENARY AND SESSION PARTNERS

Keynote: Transformation - How Far Can You Go?

Morning Masterclass: Insurtech - Emerging Technologies Every Broker Should Know

Morning Masterclass: UAC Session

Morning Masterclass: Shaping Change in a Warming Climate

Concurrent Session

MEDIA PARTNERS

DESTINATION PARTNER

CHARITY PARTNERS

26 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Exhibitors The Organising Committee gratefully acknowledges the support of our exhibitors:

EXHIBITORS

NIBA .COM.AU / 27

NIBA / 2025 NIBA Convention

Thank you to our 2025 Convention Committee

Lynette Walsh Chair, QLD

Dianne Phelan SA

Rebecca Wilson NSW

Steven Hill QLD

Daniela Zaconne SA

Carlie Griggs NSW

Nikita Willis WA

Tom Wheeler WA

Sam Giorgatzis NSW

Emily Booth QLD

Prudence Chang VIC

Jodie Geraghty QLD

with the support of the NIBA team

Richard Klipin Chief Executive Officer

Heidi Schmit Head of Business Operations

Ciara Walsh Senior Marketing Coordinator

Katie Barnett Marketing Coordinator

Wayne Egelton Partnerships Manager

Virat Nehru Communications and Content Manager

Becky Clavel Events Coordinator

28 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

Save the date and join NIBA on the Gold Coast in 2026

RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast

NIBA / Community

2026 at a Glimpse Your First Look at Next Year’s State Events Start planning early and keep an eye on our website for dates as we roll out an exciting line-up of state events designed to connect, inspire, and support our local broking communities throughout 2026. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming up in the first quarter of 2026!

MARCH

Stay Connected All regular event updates, announcements and reminders will be included in our Community Hub Newsletter.

NT - Darwin Member Update SA - Adelaide Fringe Event VIC - Policy Wording Seminar ACT - Workers Compensation Seminar

APRIL

VIC - Powerful Presentations Workshop QLD - YP Property Claims Workshop NSW - YP Broker 101 Workshop TAS - Educational Event

Scan the QR code to view the 2026 State Event Calendar

MAY

NSW - Presentation Skills Program VIC - Networking Event WA - Workers’ Compensation Seminar SA - AI & Insurance Innovation Seminar

Partner with us to support local events!

NIBA’s State Events are a great way to align your brand with the insurance profession and connect with engaged industry professionals across the country. Scan the QR code to enquire now.

30 / INSURANCE ADVISER DECEMBER 2025

NIBA / Community

Program NSW • WA • QLD • VIC • SA • TAS • NT • ACT Mentoring

2026 Program Dates Now Released!

The annual NIBA Mentoring Program continues to be one of the industry’s most valued professional development opportunities - connecting emerging talent with experienced mentors to foster growth, confidence, and leadership across the insurance profession. Designed for brokers, insurers, and associated professionals, the program offers structured guidance that helps participants build new skills, navigate challenges, and gain clarity in their career direction. It’s a platform that inspires fresh perspectives, meaningful connections, and long-lasting professional support.

Workshop 1 Welcome & Introduction 1 Apr 2026 4pm - 6pm (local time)

1:1 Meeting Timing agreed by pair Mentee led discussions

Week 1 30 Mar – 3 Apr

+ 1:1 Meeting - Timing agreed by pair ‘Goal Setting’

‘Career Progression’

Webinar 1 Building Strong Teams 15 Apr 2026 4pm - 5pm (AEST)

1:1 Meeting Timing agreed by pair Mentee led discussions

Week 4 30 Mar – 3 Apr

Week 3 13–17 Apr

+ 1:1 Meeting - Timing agreed by pair ‘Professionalism’

‘Building Strong Relationships’

Workshop 2 Industry Panel Session 29 Apr 2026 4pm - 6pm (local time)

1:1 Meeting Timing agreed by pair Mentee led discussions

Week 5 27 Apr – 1 May

Week 6 4–8 May

+ 1:1 Meeting - Timing agreed by pair ‘Handling Conflict’

‘Industry Knowledge’

Webinar 2 Effective Presentation Skills 13 Apr 2026 4pm - 6pm (AEST)

1:1 Meeting Timing agreed by pair Mentee led discussions

Week 7 11–15 May

Week 8 18–22 May

Interested in being part of next year’s program?

+ 1:1 Meeting - Timing agreed by pair ‘Building Confidence in Presenting’

‘Community Contribution’

Enquire now to join the waitlist! And be first to hear when applications open.

Webinar 2 Mentee Presentations 27 May 2026 4pm - 6pm (local time)

1:1 Meeting Timing agreed by pair Mentee led discussions

Week 9 25–29 May

Week 10 1–5 June

+ 1:1 Meeting - Timing agreed by pair ‘Goals, Outcomes & Key Takeaways’

‘Final Reflections & Debrief’

NIBA .COM.AU / 31

A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to leveraging technology in insurance ALLIANZ COMMERCIAL Embracing digital transformation:

ISSUE 12 - DECEMBER 2025

allianzengage.com.au

Welcome note 34 Why time is ticking to build the tech-enabled insurance business of the future 35 Building the integrated business of tomorrow 37 Levelling up the skills gap: Cultivating talent in a tech-led world 41 The evolving broker: Navigating 2035 and beyond 44 Contents

This NIBA Brokers’ Guide is brought to you through a partnership between Allianz Australia Insurance Limited (Allianz) and NIBA. We hope the knowledge of our subject matter experts, coupled with Allianz’s industry expertise, helps you and your clients prepare for the future. We welcome ideas for future subjects – please email your suggestions to editor@niba.com.au.

A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to leveraging technology in insurance 33

Welcome note

RICHARD KLIPIN Chief Executive Officer, NIBA

JULIE MITCHELL Chief General Manager, Personal Injury & Commercial

Leveraging technology in insurance

Within the insurance profession, we’re at a tipping point with technology. For years, we’ve been using different systems in different departments, gaining efficiencies and systematising tasks. However, as we look ahead to 2026, the consensus very much seems to be that if you don’t act now, technology’s going to move at such a rate it will soon be virtually impossible to catch up. The AI revolution, which we covered in depth in the last NIBA/Allianz Brokers’ Guide, has continued to build momentum – but tech platforms are needed to form the foundation. NIBA’s groundbreaking thought leadership report, Ready or Reacting: Shaping the Future of the Broking Profession , has shown that brokers view technology as a major disruptor in the sector – but aren’t fully prepared for the impact of that disruption. A key message throughout this Brokers’ Guide is that while now is the time to act, you need to have a holistic view across the whole business to both get the impact you need today, and set yourself up for a strong future. All elements of the profession are directly or indirectly connected, so having a full and accurate view of each customer, each risk, and each claim is essential. While in the past a departmental solution may have been credible and beneficial, as you prepare for the future that holistic view will be a differentiator.

This is all part of a bigger picture, of course. The insurance sector is evolving and changing, out of both desire and necessity. With increased regulation, and ever-evolving, emerging threats such as climate and cyber risks, insurance has to leverage data and technology to create the products, price risk correctly, and process and manage claims as effectively and efficiently as possible. Simply put, the brokers who can seize the opportunity to work with their own tech platforms and deliver exceptional experiences for their clients will increase their chances of success over the coming decade. Because there will always be a need for strong face-to- face interaction, certainly for those more complex risks. And the more you can establish the position of a strategic risk adviser, while complementing that with integrated technology platforms that help you work more efficiently and effectively, the stronger your proposition will be.

34 A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to leveraging technology in insurance

Why time is ticking to build the tech-enabled insurance business of the future

Tech in insurance is nothing new, however every business operating in insurance is at a tipping point. Embrace modern, fit-for-purpose solutions today, or risk missing out. A cross the globe, the insurance sector is undergoing a huge technological shift, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation. Technology adoption and implementation has been bubbling for a while here in Australia – however it’s now becoming an imperative for the sector.

This shift is unprecedented in the sector, and underlined by the projected increase in the global AI for insurance market, which reached US$7.71bn in 2024, and is projected to reach US$35.62bn by 2029. 1

Consumers are demanding better digital experiences – 81% of Australian insurance consumers find the claims process too long or too repetitive and 56% find the claims process too complex. 2 Add to that the requirements set out by CPS 230, the increasing complexity of risk, and competitive pressures, and there is increased urgency for brokers and insurers to deliver meaningful technology transformation in their businesses. Andy Doran, General Manager - Commercial Underwriting at Allianz, says, “In society today, we expect everything to be available at our fingertips, and responses to be instantaneous, and the development of technology is going to be quite exponential over the next few years.”

“Technology should be a core functional discipline in every business. It’s no longer a case of one project and you’re good for the next decade – it’s a continual drive to make sure you’re competitive and relevant, and you’re doing the right thing by your customers.”

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“As a sector, with regards to technology, we’re at that pivotal crossroads and we’ve got to really lean into it – because if businesses don’t, it limits their ability to deliver the best possible options and outcomes to a customer.” The good news for everyone involved in Australian insurance, the technology is readily available – with almost 300 insurtechs headquartered in Australia alone. 3

Practical takeaways for brokers: WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW

1. https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/artificial-intelligence-ai-for-insurance- global-market-report 2. https://dxc.com/content/dam/dxc/projects/dxc-com/au/Industries/images/insurance/pdfs/ dxc-au-insurance-consumer-report.pdf 3. https://insurtechaustralia.org/insurtech-market-report/ 4. https://dxc.com/au/en/insights/perspectives/blogs/insurers-that-fail-to-modernize-it-systems- take-on-risk journey, so proactively discuss the urgency of digital transformation, highlighting the risks of inaction and the opportunities of embracing tech. Position yourself as a strategic advisor beyond just insurance placement. design, and empathetic client advocacy are the core business functions. Prioritise these areas where human expertise remains paramount, and look for tech solutions to support from an administrative and process perspective. 5. EDUCATE YOUR CLIENTS Some of your clients will be at the start of this Take stock – identify areas where you’re still performing repetitive, manual tasks, or you’re asking your clients to jump through unnecessary hoops, then look for solutions. 3. DEVELOP YOUR TECH FLUENCY Invest time in learning about the myriad of platforms available and educate yourself and your team, so you’re across what’s happening today, not yesterday. 4. FOCUS ON VALUE-ADDED SERVICES Increasingly, complex risk advisory, bespoke solution For brokers that are either on their own digital journey, or are at the very beginning, now is the time to make changes in your business. Doran says, “Some of the old technology is now referred to as toxic assets – there’s no investment being put into them and ultimately they end up holding you back, rather than helping you move forward.” Given that, now is the opportune time to evaluate your own tech journey to date, and map out a path moving forward. 1. ASSESS YOUR OWN DIGITAL MATURITY Understand where your brokerage stands in terms of tech adoption, identifying key areas for improvement in CRM, document management, and client communication platforms. 2. CONDUCT AN INTERNAL AUDIT ON TASKS AND PROCESSES

“The old understanding of digital transformation would have been that it’s a huge project with a defined beginning and end, and then you move on to something else.”

The high cost of inaction: risks for Australian businesses

Businesses operating in the insurance sector face significant risks by not adopting technology – from market share erosion and operational inefficiencies to increased vulnerability from both a security and intelligence perspective, and consequently being unable to take on new challenges and respond to industry changes. 4 “If insurance businesses don’t start this with earnestness now, they may well have missed out because the technology is moving so quickly,” says Matthew Churchill, Director of Customer Success at Cytora, which has worked alongside Allianz Commercial on technology projects (more on that in Building the Integrated Business of Tomorrow ). “And then, you’re going to miss the opportunity to take advantage of some of the emerging technology – for example, solutions that sit over the top of submissions.” Doran agrees, and says the traditional notion of digital ‘transformation’ is outdated, and instead technology is an always-on evolution. “The old understanding of digital transformation would have been that it’s a huge project with a defined beginning and end, and then you move on to something else. “Today, transformation is a continually iterative, dynamic discipline, which acknowledges the changes are going to be continual because technology is going to continue to accelerate, and the market we operate in will continue to evolve. “Technology should be a core functional discipline in every business. It’s no longer a case of one project and you’re good for the next decade – it’s a continual drive to make sure you’re competitive and relevant, and you’re doing the right thing by your customers.”

36 A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to leveraging technology in insurance

Building the integrated business of tomorrow

When implementing new technology into a business, it’s increasingly important to have a fully integrated approach.

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T he smart and strategic use of technology can be a genuine game-changer for many businesses, enabling you to achieve efficiency, innovation, and offer an enhanced customer experience. However, in many businesses today, the adoption of technology has often been at a departmental level, meaning data silos and a lack of a truly holistic view. Research shows that only 18% of Australian businesses are fully integrated from a tech perspective, and businesses with fully integrated systems are six times more likely to report significantly outperforming peers compared to those with little or no integration. 1 The drive for a holistic, integrated tech business needs to come from the top – from leaders who have a view across the whole organisation. Ammon Mackie, General Manager, Commercial Business Transformation at Allianz Australia, says, “It’s been important for businesses to have leadership that understands digital for a long time now, and it’s becoming even more important as we find ourselves in a far more complex digital and data environment. “Business leaders need to understand how all of it comes together to unlock business value. Within the broker area, it really is becoming critically important to unlock value and find those efficiencies and insights.” The value of a holistic view With so many interconnected pieces of information, having an integrated approach to data is integral to the success of digital projects today. Matthew Churchill, Director of Customer Success at Cytora says, “For a number of years, insurance businesses have been thinking about digitisation, but for a while that term didn’t have a huge amount of meaning behind it. “What is digitisation? Is it someone manually entering information into a digital system? Is it sending an email rather than a fax?” “Over time, it’s become clearer what digitisation should mean: information exists in a digital format that can be critiqued, interacted with, and that information can be turned into something more meaningful for the company.” Research has found that 81% of IT leaders say data silos are hindering digital transformation efforts, making it impossible to leverage modern, secure AI models built on unified data 2 , and Churchill says a key is to build ways of working that increase productivity while continuing to work in the way the market already works – which is a challenge. “The market is still very conversational, so it’s challenging to capture the information and trends, and then store and transmit that information,” says Churchill.

“It’s inherently challenging, however the big global players see it as a play for the future, and believe that if they don’t start this with earnestness now, technology will have moved on so rapidly that they will start missing out.” Churchill says thinking has evolved from immediate one- year productivity use cases to scenarios that focus on scaling up, For example, “What happens if we grow to five times the size we are now”? Or the possibilities enabled by strong data ingestion – “What happens if we collect decline information as richly as submission data?”

“The more data you have, the more you can apply the most modern technologies to it,” he says.

“We keep the older legacy systems around, but we minimise their use as much as possible until it gets to a point that we’re able to replace them completely.”

Lessons to learn from Allianz’s digital transformation Over the past 18 months, Allianz has undergone significant digital transformation to help ensure it is well and truly setting itself up to take advantage of those ‘what if’ scenarios outlined by Churchill. And, while the scale of a business such as Allianz may be vastly different from many brokers’ businesses, there are lessons to be shared that can help brokers implement new technologies successfully in their own organisations.

38 A NIBA Brokers’ Guide: to leveraging technology in insurance

Mackie says, “I say to my team, I have never been involved in a large-scale transformation project that has gone smoothly, because the reality is that older systems are complicated – they are difficult to connect to, the experience required to maintain and enhance those is very different to the newer technology.” The focus for Allianz is to create go-to-market platforms that help improve the experience for brokers and customers and for our teams, and Mackie says it’s useful to run the old and the new together until the former is redundant. “We keep the older legacy systems around, but we minimise their use as much as possible until it gets to a point that we’re able to replace them completely.” Mackie says the number one initiative within Allianz at present ties back to that need for an integrated, holistic approach to data and tech. “Platform connectivity is our number one initiative at the moment – how do we connect the systems together so that the broker has a seamless experience when quoting with Allianz, and we automate as much of that as possible, and over time, optimise that experience.” Understanding the true value you’re unlocking The implementation of technology platforms can be significant – both in terms of cost and time. And it’s important to take the time to ensure that what you’re doing will deliver the right benefits for the business.

“The first was that we needed to ensure there was enough business value to unlock, and the second was the technology cost – if you’re deploying complex products on older systems, the cost of that transformation and change now is significant, and sometimes more significant than the value that you’re going to unlock. “It’s then easy to get stuck in this challenging environment where if you don’t do it, you will not be able to stay relevant. If you do do it, you need to significantly rethink how to do it, because if you do it the same way you did it five or 10 years ago, it will not make financial sense, and no one will buy in.” In the specific example of the farm product, Allianz focused on the product design – what would give customers better outcomes, and create a more efficient, nimble product for the future? The redesigned farm product reduced 12 sections of information required to five, without changing the coverage. “The customer still gets what we provided them before, but the way that we do it becomes so much simpler and more cost effective. It literally took years to solve that problem, and get to the point where we knew, with confidence, what we were implementing was future fit.” “Platform connectivity is our number one initiative at the moment – how do we connect the systems together so that the broker has a seamless experience when quoting with Allianz, and we automate as much of that as possible, and over time, optimise that experience.”

Mackie says the first hurdle is to understand the value you’re unlocking.

And that future focus is essential when designing, creating, and implementing digital solutions, says Mackie.

“Business leaders need to understand how all of it comes together to unlock business value. Within the broker area, it really is becoming critically important to unlock value and find those efficiencies and insights.”

“Some of the new technologies we’ve implemented will connect, behind the scenes, to an old system – while in the future, it will connect to a new system,” he says. “Of course, the customer doesn’t need to see that, but it’s about understanding the design that we’re implementing now, and how it will be integrated further with new technologies in the future.”

1. https://offers.hubspot.com/apac/business-growth-australia-2025 2. https://www.salesforce.com/au/news/stories/connectivity-report-announcement-2024/

“We’d talked about launching a new farm product for a long time and people were beginning to doubt whether it would happen at all, but there were two key issues,” he explains.

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