Sydney, Jan 26, 2026, 17:45 AEDT — Market closed.
Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG.AX) will draw attention when the ASX reopens Tuesday following the Australia Day break. The stock ended Friday at A$7.33, slipping 0.5%. (Iag)
The weather story is back in focus. New data and expert commentary suggest insurers will push through more price hikes in 2026, despite household grumbling over costs and political scrutiny mounting. Insurance Council chief Andrew Hall told The Australian the market had “returned to the cycle.” (The Australian)
On Friday, the Insurance Council of Australia reported that extreme weather in 2025 triggered nearly A$3.5 billion in insured losses from 264,000 claims. October–November hailstorms alone caused over A$1.4 billion in damage. Insured losses in 2024 were A$581 million, and the council said more claims are still expected from last year’s events. It also highlighted early 2026 activity, including bushfires in Victoria and monsoonal weather in North Queensland. (Insurance Council of Australia)
IAG, offering insurance through brands like NRMA and CGU, claims the top spot as the largest general insurer in Australia and New Zealand. That position puts it squarely in the path of fluctuations in repair costs, catastrophe claims, and pricing pressure across its home and motor insurance portfolios. (Iag)
Investors face a familiar dilemma: rising claims can pressure earnings before prices adjust, yet severe peril seasons often allow insurers to hike rates and toughen terms. At the heart of this balancing act is reinsurance — the coverage insurers purchase to limit massive catastrophe losses.
Tuesday’s action will hinge more on tone than on fresh headlines. Traders are eyeing any new claim counts tied to summer events and looking for clues about whether premium momentum can carry into 2026.
But weather can shift the playing field. A string of big events early in the financial year can quickly use up an insurer’s catastrophe allowance, prompting updates. At the same time, tougher pricing raises the risk of customers jumping ship as they hunt for better deals.
Investors will eye sector peers Suncorp Group and QBE Insurance for clues on pricing and reinsurance, despite the holiday lull keeping company-specific news scarce.
IAG’s upcoming half-year results for the period ending Dec. 31 are set for Feb. 12. This will be the market’s first clear indication of how the summer stacked up against prior loss forecasts — and whether management might maintain or revise its guidance. (Iag)
