Social
SOCIAL ENGINEERING ATTACKS
The Real Estate sector has been hit hard by an increase in frequency and severity of cybercrime incidents. Having moved much of their interactions and processing online over the last 18 months, real estate agents and property managers are especially vulnerable to social engineering attacks. Social engineering is a general term referring to an attack where the fraudster successfully impersonates a trusted employee, vendor, supplier, customer, or even a CEO or CFO; manipulating the victim into disclosing security details and sensitive information. These attacks often come in the form of phishing emails. Sadly, Honan clients are by no means immune to such threats. In the last quarter alone, we have seen multiple successful cyber attacks on our clients. Fortunately, in each instance, an appropriate level of cover was in place via a bespoke cyber policy.
While many organisations believe they can rely on extensions to Professional Indemnity and Management Liability policies to provide adequate cover in the event of a cyber incident claim, this is not the case. To ensure their level of insurance is truly fit for purpose, real estate agents and property managers are strongly encouraged to review their internal cyber security strategies with their broker.
EARTHQUAKE
On September 22, 2021, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Victoria, with tremors felt across the state and as far away as Newcastle in NSW. While there were no immediate reports of serious injury or death, damage included collapsed walls, shattered windows, and cracked roads. Early estimates place the total cost of damage at $150 million, with almost 10,000 claims. At the time of publication (October 14, 2021), the earthquake has not been declared a catastrophe by the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA). Head here to find out more about how a catastrophe is defined and what this means. If you believe you have a claim, please contact your broker directly.
With heavy rainfall, hail, and tornadoes marking a busy start to the Australian storm season, the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a 50% chance that La Niña conditions will return this spring (double the normal likelihood). As a result, there is a higher probability of damaging events taking place such as flooding. Clients are encouraged to prepare early (now) by ensuring their level of cover is sufficient for the season ahead. If in doubt, please reach out to your broker to discuss.
Global supply chain interruptions due (in part) to COVID-19, along with Australia’s Black Summer bushfires in early 2020 have contributed to building material shortages; a trend which is expected to continue over the next 12 months. Materials most affected include steel, timber, roofing products, PVC, and electrical products. In addition, the prices of both containers and dry bulk shipping are increasing, with serious shortages in haulage between Australia and other countries.
These shortages, together with pricing increases, have driven the cost of insurance repairs and replacements upwards. Unknowingly, many property owners may no longer have adequate insurance in place to reflect such increases in costs to repairs/rebuilds. Two simple insurance solutions can assist clients with this: 1) updated property valuations, and 2) those in strata buildings can review the Catastrophe Insurance percentage of the building sum insured.
