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Tag: Insurance clients

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Insurance Insights Meet Our Team

Meet the Team Behind Your Insurance – June Edition

As a valued client of East West Insurance Brokers, you’re supported by a team of experts who bring more than just insurance knowledge to the table; they also have passions, hobbies, and aspirations that make them who they are. Get to know the people dedicated to looking after you and your business.

Rebecca Sawers
Chief Insurance Officer

Rebecca leads the group’s insurance divisions, focusing on strategy and growth, through the ever-changing industry. 

Outside of work, you’ll often find her coaching her daughter’s netball team and helping young players develop their skills. She hopes to one day conquer a marathon and has Turkey and Italy’s Amalfi Coast at the top of her travel bucket list.

Michael Traill
Insurance Advisor

Michael helps business owners find suitable insurance and manages small business insurance renewals.

Outside of work, he’s a self-confessed night owl who enjoys discovering new music, gaming, and exploring niche topics. He would love to learn Mandarin and dreams of visiting Antarctica one day, with China also high on his travel list.

Jose Flores
Claims Assistant

Jose is passionate about guiding clients through the claims process from start to finish.

On weekends, he enjoys attending cosplay events, crafting costumes, gaming, and going on day trips. Jose also hopes to attend the 18th-century themed Fêtes Galantes ball at the Palace of Versailles, one of his top must-visit destinations.

See what our team are loving this quarter

Ingredients

  • @nodoathome Best Ever Banana Bread Mix
  • 2 Bananas (ripe)
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/4 cup oil of choice
  • 4 tsp Almond butter
  • 3/4 cup Almonds

Method

  1. In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas
  2. Add in the eggs and oil. Mix until combined
  3. Add in 1 bag of the Banana Bread Mix and mix until combined
  4. Line a bread tin with baking paper and pour in half the Banana Bread mix
  5. Add in the almond butter and lightly swirl around
  6. Layer the rest of the banana bread mix
  7. Sprinkle the almonds on top and lightly mix them into the blend
  8. Bake for 45 mins, or until golden brown and firm to touch
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Business Cyber Insurance Insurance Insurance Insights

Why Brokers Need Your Details (And Why It Matters More Than Ever)

Insurers have significantly tightened their underwriting over the past 12 – 18 months, and the level of data required before quoting has increased acrosss the board.

What’s changed?

Insurers are now scrutinising risk information far more closely than they used to. Where a brief overview may have been enough in the past, underwriters today want specifics: detailed claims histories, updated asset values, current risk management practices, workforce numbers, and revenue breakdowns. We are essentially asking for the works.

It’s not about being difficult. It’s about insurers protecting their books in a tougher market.

And here’s the reality: incomplete or vague information leads to higher premiums, coverage restrictions, or declined quotes.

Why we’re asking (again)

We know it can feel repetitive. You provided this information last year, and your business hasn’t changed significantly. Why do we need it all over again?

Because insurers treat every renewal as a fresh underwriting exercise. They’re reassessing your risk profile based on current information, not last year’s data. If we don’t provide comprehensive, accurate details upfront, we lose negotiation power, and potentially you may lose more as a result.

What good information gets you:

  • Sharper pricing – Underwriters price what they understand. The clearer the picture, the tighter the premium.
  • Broader coverage – Detailed risk information helps us argue for better terms, higher limits, and fewer exclusions.
  • Faster turnaround – Complete submissions avoid the back-and-forth that delays quotes and eats into your renewal timeline.
  • More options – Insurers are more willing to quote and complete when they have confidence in the information.

Our commitment to you

We are not asking for details to tick boxes. We’re asking to secure the best possible outcome for your business. Every data point you provide gives us leverage to negotiate on your behalf, and in this market, that leverage matters.

We also get that you’re busy. If there’s a way we can make the renewal process easier by pre-filling forms, scheduling a quick call instead of lengthy emails, or consolidating requests, please let us know. We’re here to make this work for you, not add to your workload.

What this means for your business

The more detail we have, the harder we can push for competitive terms. It might feel like extra effort now, but it translates directly into better cover and better value when renewal time comes.

As always, if you’ve got questions about what we’re asking for (or why), we’re happy to walk you through it.

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Business Insurance Insights Meet Our Clients

Meet Martin Turner, Owner of The Turner Group (TTG) Recruitment

For Martin Turner, recruitment has never been just about filling roles. It’s about helping people find opportunity, guiding careers, and building connections that can genuinely change lives.

As one of the founders of TTG, Martin has spent more than three decades helping businesses find the right people and supporting individuals to step into roles where they can thrive.

Along the way, he’s navigated economic downturns, industry challenges, and delivered some of Australia’s largest recruitment projects.

His journey into business wasn’t part of a grand plan. After building a career in human resources and recruitment consultancy, Martin and a group of colleagues saw an opportunity to do things differently.

In 1991, four founders took a leap of faith and launched TTG. More than 30 years later, that decision has grown into a trusted recruitment business that has helped thousands of people and organisations find the right fit.

Riding out the storms

Like many long-standing businesses, TTG has weathered its share of challenges.

From the Global Financial Crisis to COVID-19, there were times when hiring slowed, projects paused, and confidence in the market dropped. As Martin explains, recruitment is closely linked to business activity. When clients slow down, hiring slows too. When confidence returns, recruitment picks up again.

One constant challenge throughout the years has been cash flow, particularly when working with large organisations that come with complex processes and longer payment cycles.

Despite this, Martin credits the team’s resilience and adaptability for the business’s continued growth.

A project close to home

While TTG has partnered with major organisations across Australia, one project stands out.

When Brisbane’s public transport network changed from Go Card to contactless payments, Translink asked TTG to help with the rollout. The team was tasked with recruiting 140 employees for a large customer engagement campaign.

For a relatively small team, it was a major undertaking. They interviewed hundreds of candidates, onboarded successful applicants, coordinated training programs, and provided ongoing performance management throughout the project.

What began as a single recruitment assignment grew into a trusted three-year partnership, a clear reflection of the team’s ability to deliver great results.

Helping people find their place

While large projects are rewarding, what keeps Martin motivated is simple: helping people find work they truly enjoy.

Many young professionals come to him unsure of what they want to do. Sometimes, they only know what they don’t want.

Martin enjoys helping them discover opportunities they may not have thought about and guiding them towards careers that suit their skills, goals, and personality.

For him, helping people build a career they love is the most rewarding part of the job.

Lessons learned along the way

After more than 30 years in business, Martin has learned plenty but one lesson stands out: don’t do it alone.

Building strong relationships with mentors, advisers, and trusted partners can make all the difference when challenges arise.

He also believes in the importance of delegation; surrounding yourself with capable people and trusting them to do what they do best, so he can focus on growing the business.

Life beyond recruitment

Outside of work, Martin has discovered a new passion: winemaking.

What started as a hobby is slowly growing into a business. He plans to obtain a wine licence and one day sell his own wines, with the profits going towards charitable causes that are close to his heart.

When he’s not in the vineyard, you’ll likely find him watching rugby on TV. A proud Welsh rugby fan, he rarely misses a match.

After decades spent helping others build their careers, Martin continues to explore new passions of his own. And if his journey has shown anything, it’s that great opportunities often begin with a willingness to take a chance.

Connect with TTG Recruitment

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Business Claims Insurance Insurance Insights

We Helped a Client Recover More Than Just a Vehicle 

Landscaping work vehicle under repair after fuel damage, representing business insurance claim and downtime support

One of our landscaping clients faced a costly setback when the incorrect fuel was accidentally added to their work vehicle, causing significant damage.

With the vehicle off the road, their ability to operate and generate income was immediately affected.

At first, the insurer approved the claim. However, four weeks after lodgement with no additional information provided, the insurer reversed their decision.

They advised that they misread the policy and that the claim, including both repairs and downtime would not be covered.

This sudden change left our client feeling confused and under pressure. The business had already been disrupted and the claim outcome had shifted. 


Our role as your insurance claim support 

This is where our team stepped in to provide them with insurance claim support.

Our insurance claim support team reviewed the situation and challenged the insurer’s decision. We highlighted a few key points: 

  • The client had been open and honest from the start
  • The insurer had already indicated the claim would be covered
  • The delay in changing the decision put the client at a disadvantage 

The insurer finally agreed to cover the repair. However, they still declined the downtime insurance claim.

We didn’t stop there. Given that downtime cover had been clearly discussed earlier with the insurer, we continued to push the matter further.

We escalated the case to a Dispute Resolution Officer. We also continued negotiations over several months to seek a fair outcome. 

Landscaping work vehicle under repair after fuel damage, representing business insurance claim and downtime support

The outcome

After persistent follow-up and strong advocacy from our insurance claim support team, the insurer agreed to cover both the repair and the downtime claim.

This result made a real difference to our client. It helped them recover financially and get their business moving again. 

Key takeaways:


Insurance claims do not always go smoothly. Decisions can change, and the process can feel overwhelming.

This is where having a broker can make a real difference.

Without insurance claim support, many business owners do not have the time or energy to challenge claim decisions or navigate disputes. Some may even accept an outcome that is not fair.

When you work with a broker, we handle the claim process for you. We advocate on your behalf as your insurance claim support and deal with the insurer directly.

You can focus on your business, knowing you have someone in your corner when it matters most. Learn more about our claim services. here.

Claims contact information

1800 809 132 (choose option 1 for claims)
cl****@**********om.au

Categories
Business Insurance Insurance Insights

Why Run-Off Cover Matters More Than You Think

When we asked our Insurance Advisors what cover they wish clients took more seriously, one answer stood out: run-off cover.

Many business owners with Professional Indemnity insurance cancel their cover when they retire, sell their business, or stop trading.

They often think they no longer need insurance.

But without run-off cover, they will not be protected for work they did in the past.

What Is Run-Off Cover?

Run-off cover is an extension to Professional Indemnity insurance. It protects a business after it stops trading.

Professional Indemnity insurance is a claims-made policy. Because of this, it is important for businesses to add run-off cover.

To understand this, it helps to see how different types of insurance work.

Occurrence-Based Insurance (e.g. Public Liability)

Most insurance, such as Public Liability insurance, respond based on when an incident happens.

For example:

  • A business had Public Liability insurance from 2010 to 2015
  • Someone slipped at the business premises in 2014
  • The claim was made in 2020

In this case, the policy from 2014 can still respond. This is because the incident happened while the insurance policy was active.

Claims-Made Insurance (e.g. Professional Indemnity)

Professional Indemnity insurance works differently.

It is a claims-made policy. This means there must be an active policy when the claim is made.

For example:

  • A business had Professional Indemnity insurance from 2010 to 2015
  • The business stopped trading and cancelled the policy in 2016
  • A claim was made in 2020 about advice given in 2014

Even though the business had insurance when the advice was given, there is no active policy in 2020 when the claim is made.

Because of this, there will be no cover to protect the business.

Without run-off cover, the business will need to pay legal costs, settlements, or compensation themselves.

Other common claims-made insurance include:

  • Cyber Insurance
  • Management Liability insurance

How Run-Off Cover Helps

This is where run-off cover is important.

If a business takes out run-off cover after it stops trading, it can still be protected if a claim is made later.

Run-off cover is especially important for:

  • Retiring business owners
  • Businesses being sold
  • Professionals changing industries
  • Anyone cancelling a claims-made insurance
Small business owner speaking with insurance broker about run-off cover protection

Why Run-Off Cover Matters

Claims for advice or professional work can take years to appear.

Sometimes a problem is not found until long after the job is finished.

The Good News

Run-off cover is often cheaper than active insurance.

The cost can also go down over time as the risk reduces.

Many industries suggest around 7 years of run-off cover. But the right time depends on the business, contracts, and industry.

Speak to Your Broker Before Cancelling Cover

It may feel natural to cancel insurance when closing a business or retiring.

But without understanding future risk, it can lead to serious financial problems later.

Before cancelling any claims-made insurance policy, speak with your broker about run-off cover.

A short conversation today could help protect you from a costly claim in the future.

Categories
Insurance Insights Meet Our Team

Meet the Team Behind Your Insurance

Meet our insurance team

As a valued client of East West Insurance Brokers, you’re supported by a team of experts who bring more than just insurance knowledge to the table; they also have passions, hobbies, and aspirations that make them who they are. Get to know the people dedicated to looking after you and your business.

Insurance broker staff profiles - Rawinia Lim

Rawinia Lim
Head of Claims

Rawinia manages complex claims, ensures smooth coordination with insurers, and handle escalations when needed.

Rawinia enjoys walking her dog and unwinding at home. She’s keen to explore pottery as a new hobby, and her travel wish list includes Greece, Thailand, and a return trip to Ireland.

Insurance broker staff profiles - Alicia Newell

Alicia Newell
Executive Assistant

Alicia manages staff policies and supports Insurance Advisors to deliver exceptional services to our clients.

When not at work, you’ll find her at the gym or out enjoying meals, gardening, or taking her kelpie on adventures. She hopes to explore pottery and has Canada at the top of her travel list to see her favourite comedian and experience the wilderness

Insurance broker staff profiles - Shreya Sharma

Shreya Sharma
Marketing Manager

Shreya oversees the marketing team and leads all aspects of marketing for the business.

Outside of work, you’ll find her gardening, hiking, or experimenting with new recipes. She’s keen to explore creative pursuits like pottery or textured canvas art, with South Africa currently at the top of her travel wish list.

See what our team are loving this quarter

Staff favourite of the quarter

Jamie Olivers Gnarly Madras Lamb Traybake

Ingredients

  • 2kg Lamb Shoulder (Bone In)
  • 180g Madras Curry Paste
  • 250g Yellow Split Peas
  • 3 Red Onions
  • 4 Tomatoes
  • 1 Potato
  • 6cm Ginger
  • 1 bulb of Garlic
  • 15g Coriander
  • 12 Cloves

Method

1. Score the lamb and season with salt and pepper.
2. Rub with half the curry paste.
3. Place yellow split peas in a deep roasting tray with all the other ingredients along with the remaining curry paste.
4. Stir in 1.2L of boiling water and sit the lamb on top.
5. Tightly cover with tin foil and roast at 170 degrees for 4.5 hours.
6. Remove foil, baste with the tray juices.

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Business Cyber Insurance Insurance Insurance Insights

Protecting Your Business With Cyber Risk Management

Business cyber risk management and cyber insurance protection

Cyber risk is one of the most common threats for Australian businesses. It can disrupt operations and cause serious losses.

To help businesses, the Australian Government released the Essential Eight. This is a set of eight practical cybersecurity strategies. They are designed to help businesses get back to trading quickly after a cyber incident.

Essential Eight Cybersecurity Strategies

The Essential Eight encourages businesses to:

1.Keep software up to date: Regularly update your operating systems and applications to close security gaps.

2. Control access: Only allow authorised staff to make important system changes. Remove access when staff leave.

3. Use strong passwords and MFA: Strong passwords plus multi-factor authentication (MFA) add an extra layer of protection.

4. Limit risky programs: Block or restrict applications and macros that are commonly used to spread malware.

5. Back up data often: Make frequent, secure backups. Test them to make sure you can restore data quickly.

6. Protect against phishing and unsafe sites: Reduce risk from malicious emails and dangerous websites.

7. Have a simple response plan: Know what steps to take and who to contact if something goes wrong.

8. Educate your staff: .Use monthly updates from the Essential Eight team to keep staff aware of the latest cyber threats.

Australian business protecting against cyber risk with Essential Eight cybersecurity strategies

Why Cyber Risk Management Matters

Insurers now look closely at cyber risk management when deciding coverage, premiums, and claims for Australian businesses. Businesses that follow frameworks like the Essential Eight are better prepared if a claim occurs.

Demonstrating these controls can also help negotiate stronger coverage or lower premiums.

What You Should Do?

If you’re reviewing your insurance or risk management, now is a good time to consider how the Essential Eight cybersecurity strategies could be implemented in your business. Contact your broker to discuss these controls in detail.

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Business Insurance Insights Meet Our Clients

Meet Our Client: Mary-Anne Hall, owner of EPEC Education

Owner of EPEC Education Queensland in early childhood education sector

Mary-Anne has been a client of East West Insurance Brokers for 20 years and we have had the privilege to watch her business evolve from when she owned childcare centres and after-school care facilities to her present business, EPEC Education.

Tell us more about your business.

EPEC Education is a Registered Training Organisation that provides accredited training and professional development to those interested in contributing to the Early Childhood Education community.

EPEC’s training covers all aspects of the care of children with special focus on identifying and preventing child abuse.

What inspired you to start your business?

As a former Approved Provider of a range of early childhood services, I was hoping I could make a positive contribution in this space.

As a former University teacher, I believed the combination of both my theoretical and hands-on industry knowledge would make a positive contribution to the industry.

What’s the most rewarding part of running your business?

Supporting educators and other personnel to be more caring and compassionate in their interactions with the children in their care.

What do you wish you knew starting out?

That it takes a long time to develop the fundamentals of a business, and that there is always a solution to 99% of business problems.

What was your biggest challenge, and your solution?

Coming to terms with all the changing technologies. The best way to overcome these challenges is to stay acutely on top of new technologies and all the details of changing legislation.

What’s your favourite success story?

One of my proudest moments from my business journey is staying true to my belief in the importance of inclusive and compassionate care of all children.

What’s your one big goal for your business in the next year?

In accordance with EPEC’s commitment to the early childhood sector, it is starting to make moves into the recruitment sector and aims to develop this as another department of its business in 2026.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

Exercising on the beach, connecting with nature and recovering from the challenges of the previous week.

What advice would you give to other business owners?

To be successful in business you need to have plenty of strength and courage. Staying the course is about mental toughness and resilience above all else.

Where can people find you to connect or support your business?

www.epeceducation.com.au
www.foodsafetycertificates.com.au
www.childprotectiontraining.com.au

or contact Mary-Anne via 07 4616 8111 to discuss how her business can help you.

Categories
Business Claims Insurance Insurance Insights

When One Accident Put a Business on Pause, We Helped Get It Back on Track

Small business insurance claim support after vehicle breakdown

For small business owners, work is more than just work. It is your livelihood. So when something unexpected stops you from working, the stress can be huge. This is where strong insurance claims support makes a real difference.

One of our clients in the commercial cleaning industry experienced this when their work vehicle was damaged in an accident. With jobs booked and bills to pay, being off the road was not just inconvenient. It caused real financial pressure.

The client had a Downtime benefit in their insurance policy, also known as business downtime insurance. This benefit is designed to provide income support while a vehicle is being repaired. After the breakdown, the client lodged a claim and received a repair quote that was below their insurance excess. They decided to pay for the repair privately to avoid the excess.

Partway through the repair, the mechanic found more damage. The new quote was now higher than the insurance excess. Because of this, the client chose to have the repair covered by insurance instead.

The insurer approved the repair costs. However, they declined the Downtime benefit. They relied on a policy exclusion because the first repairs had been done privately.

Our role

Our claims team stepped in to provide dedicated insurance claims support during this stressful time. We reviewed the situation and challenged the insurer’s decision. We explained that:

  • Any reasonable person would have made the same choice
  • The client acted in good faith and did not try to mislead
  • The insurer suffered no additional financial loss from the client going ahead with repairs

We kept the client informed at every step. We reassured them and handled the discussions with the insurer so they could focus on running their business. This is an example of strong insurance broker claims advocacy in action.

Small business owner affected by vehicle breakdown during insurance claim

The outcome

Because of our team’s experience and persistence, the insurer agreed to pay the maximum Downtime benefit under the client’s business downtime insurance. The client received the income support they needed during a difficult period. This reduced financial pressure and helped them return to work with confidence.

Key takeaways:

This claim shows why working with an insurance broker matters:

  • Policy wording is not always final, and insurers must follow a fair claims process
  • Experienced claims support can challenge insurer decisions
  • Brokers provide insurance broker claims advocacy in complex situations
  • You don’t have to navigate claims alone

Insurance is about being there when it counts and we’re proud to stand beside our clients when they need it most.

Claims contact information

1800 809 132 (choose option 1 for claims)
cl****@**********om.au

Categories
Business Cyber Insurance Insurance Insurance Insights

AI in Business: Powerful Tool, New Exposures

Artificial intelligence in business: Insurance to manage AI risks_Hero

Artificial Intelligence in business is now part of everyday operations. It helps with admin tasks, data analysis, and customer service. It can also help write messages and emails. AI is a useful tool for saving time and improving efficiency.

For many businesses, using AI is no longer a choice. It is becoming necessary to stay competitive. But every new tool brings new risks, therefore, it is important to understand these risks before relying on AI.

Understanding AI

A simple way to think about AI is to compare it to your home. A robot vacuum or dishwasher can save you time. But they only work well if the space is set up properly. If there are items on the floor, blocked pipes, or the machine is too full, problems can happen.

AI works in the same way.

The more AI is used in your business, the more important it is to control how it is used. You will need to manage what it can access and who is responsible for it.

Without clear rules and controls, businesses may face challenges. Effective AI risk management can help reduce:
  • Data privacy and confidentiality breaches
  • Cyber attacks or system failures
  • Incorrect results or false information
  • Intellectual property or copyright problems
  • Legal or regulatory issues
Artificial intelligence in business: Insurance to manage AI risks

The Role of Business Insurance for AI

From an insurance point of view, protection must keep up with new technology.

Many insurance policies do not clearly cover AI-related problems. This is common when data, cyber risk, or professional advice is involved. Just as you protect your home and contents, you should also protect your business. This means checking your insurance regularly and making sure your coverage matches how your business uses technology, including AI.

Keeping Business Efficient and Protected

AI can make running your business easier and faster. The key is to set it up properly and ensure you have the right protection in place.

If your business is starting to use new technology or is expanding its use of AI, now is the time to talk to your broker. A review of your risk management and insurance cover, including AI risk management strategies will help make sure your protection grows with your business.