Underwriting Agencies Council Ltd

Common disputes in construction insurance: defects and duration
2026-02-23 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Sydney)
Presenter: Kishan Dasan – General Manager
Presentation Summary
This presentation provides a clear and practical overview of the most common disputes in construction insurance, focusing on defects and project duration. It explains how these disputes arise, how policy wordings such as defect exclusions and duration‑related conditions are interpreted, and why misunderstandings often lead to differing expectations between insurers, brokers, and insureds. Using real‑world claim scenarios, the session highlights how coverage decisions are formed and identifies the key drivers behind frequent disputes—such as ambiguous workmanship issues, unclear timelines, and documentation gaps—equipping attendees with greater confidence in navigating these complex areas.

Learning Objectives
1. General understanding of key types of construction insurance disputes related to defects and project duration
2. General interpretation of policy wordings relevant to defects and duration disputes
3. General evaluation of real‑world claim scenarios to determine coverage outcomes
4. Identify why defects and duration are commonly disputed areas in the industry
Registrations: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Navigating AFCA Complaints
2026-02-19 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Marjana Cvetanoska – Founder/CEO at Corporate Overhaul
Presentation Summary
To equip financial services professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively manage complaints lodged with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), ensuring compliance, timely resolution, and improved client outcomes.
Learning Objectives

Understand AFCA’s role as an external dispute resolution body and its jurisdiction.
Identify what constitutes a complaint and the importance of early engagement.
Learn the step-by-step AFCA complaint process, including registration, referral, and decision-making stages.
Explore best practices for responding to complaints, including vulnerability considerations, transparency, and collaboration.
Gain insights into common pitfalls and how to avoid them, including record-keeping and limitation periods.
Navigate the AFCA member portal for complaint management and reporting.

Registrations: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

UAC Clive™ AI by Five Sigma 2026 Sydney Market Exchange
2026-02-17 09:00 - 14:00 | ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia
The NEW UAC event app is available for broker registration for the market exchange and supports scanning exhibitor QR codes.
https://registration.crowdcomms.com/uacsydmx2026
Certificates will be issued 2-3 weeks post the market exchange electronically using data from the App. Minimum 25 scans.
5 NIBA CPD points

Any questions relating to the Market Exchange, contact Tracey Claridge: traceyclaridge@uac.org.au or mobile: 0433 447 574

Beyond the ANZSIC code: How to understand your client from the inside out & improve their risk profile
2026-02-12 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Damien Cullen – Head of Strategic Partnerships & John Schroder – Head of Underwriting, Product & Pricing
Businesses are more than their ANZSIC codes.
This webinar explores how shifting from assumption to understanding helps brokers uncover the real factors driving risk — from day-to-day operations to workplace culture. It highlights the difference between assumed risk and operational risk, showing how deeper insight into how a business actually runs can strengthen client relationships, improve risk profiles, and lead to better coverage outcomes.
You’ll also learn how tools like SafetyCulture can help identify and prevent issues before they escalate. Part of the potential “Preventing the Preventable” series, this session is designed for brokers who want to stay relevant, proactive, and indispensable.
Learning Objectives:

Differentiate between assumed and operational risk: Understand how traditional classifications (such as ANZSIC codes) can overlook critical operational factors influencing risk exposure, and apply this distinction to enhance client assessments.
Recognise the value of understanding client operations and culture: Identify key operational and human factors that shape risk and use these insights to strengthen advisory relationships.
Apply practical methods to gather and interpret operational insights: Use digital tools and data-driven methods (e.g. SafetyCulture) to capture, analyse, and act on real-world risk information from client environments.
Enhance professional relevance and client value: Adopt a consultative approach that positions the broker as a trusted risk partner, aligning with ethical, advisory, and professional standards under CPD/CIP frameworks.
Implement proactive strategies to prevent the preventable: Translate operational insights into practical actions that help clients mitigate exposure, particularly in industries like manufacturing and hospitality.

Registrations: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Emerging Risk – The Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Jehan-Philippe Wood (Partner), Darryl Smith (Partner), Simone Herbert-Lower (Partner) & Yvonne Lam (Partner)
Emerging Risk – The Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence
This webinar explores the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for the insurance and professional services sectors. Delivered by legal experts, it will unpack the emerging risks associated with AI technologies, including regulatory challenges, ethical considerations, liability exposures, and data governance. As well as highlighting key risks in key industries, the session will highlight potential benefits and challenges of using AI in insurance and broking businesses, offering practical insights into how insurers, brokers and professional services providers can harness AI responsibly and compliantly.
Learning Objectives
o Identifying potential benefits of using AI in the insurance and professional services sectors.
o Identifying key legal, regulatory and commercial risks associated with the use of AI in the insurance and professional services sectors.
o Understanding key legal, ethical, risk and compliance considerations when deploying AI tools.
o Applying practical frameworks for responsible AI adoption aligned with industry standards and legal obligations.
Registrations: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

ESG Reporting and Implications for Underwriting Agencies
2026-02-02 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Bob Anderson – BRM Services
Presentation Summary
ESG Reporting and Implications for Underwriting Agencies
ESG reporting is rapidly evolving from a voluntary disclosure exercise into a core underwriting and risk governance consideration. For underwriting agencies, ESG is no longer just about compliance—it is becoming a determinant of risk quality, pricing, capacity, and insurer confidence.
Key Themes Covered

Mandatory reporting and how Underwriting Agencies could get pulled into the ESG Reporting equation
Why ESG matters to underwriters: ESG risks increasingly correlate with claims frequency, severity, reputational damage, and long-tail liabilities.
Environmental risks: Climate hazards, energy use, Scope 1–3 emissions, and transition risks are reshaping catastrophe modelling and portfolio exposure.
Social risks: Workplace safety, lithium-ion battery use, contractor management, and duty of care failures are emerging as leading loss indicators.
Governance risks: Weak governance, poor incident reporting, NDAs misuse, and lack of transparency elevate underwriting uncertainty and moral hazard.
Data and disclosure: Underwriters are shifting from narrative ESG statements to evidence-based risk registers, controls, and performance metrics.
Market response: Reinsurers and insurers are embedding ESG screening into capacity decisions, delegated authority frameworks, and portfolio reviews.
Future outlook: ESG-driven underwriting will increasingly leverage AI, real-time risk alerts, and dynamic pricing models rather than static annual reviews.

Registrations: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Practical Insurance Marketing Advice for Growth
2026-01-28 13:00 - 14:00
Presenter: Caroline Healy – CEO at We Are Savvy
Presentation Summary
Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated — but it does need to be clever. In this session, we’ll cut through the noise and share practical, proven marketing strategies that actually help insurance businesses grow.
Whether you’re looking to attract new clients, re-engage existing ones, or simply make your marketing work harder, this session will leave you with ideas you can put into action straight away.
We’ll talk about:
1. Understand where a business can find growth
2. Practical marketing tools required to target audiences
3. Use content and client communication to drive trust and referrals
Registrations: Practical Insurance Marketing Advice for Growth | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

UAC 2026 Market Exchanges Bulk Purchase
2025-09-18 - 2026-02-16
UAC members can bulk purchase UAC 2026 Market Exchanges. Note, no refund for cancellations when bulk purchasing.
Members who would like to continue to purchase our market exchanges on an individual basis can still do so by clicking on the the relevant market exchange on the UAC Event drop down tab Market Exchanges.
Any questions relating to the Market Exchange, contact Tracey Claridge: traceyclaridge@uac.org.au or mobile: 0433 447 574
UAC looks forward to welcoming members and brokers to the 2026 Market Exchanges.

Sydney – 17 February
Gold Coast – 19 March
Canberra – 22 April
Wagga Wagga – 23 April
Melbourne – 13 May
Brisbane – 14 July
Adelaide – 12 August
Hobart – 15 September
Geelong – 8 October
Perth – 11 November
