The insurance industry operates under a General Insurance Code of Practice directed at standards and consumer protection and other legislation covering the contents of insurance policies and standard cover for some domestic insurance policyholders. Insurance marketing and selling practices have been reformed by financial services legislation.

Contributor

Mark Attard

Partner, Clyde & Co.

Insurers and the Privacy Act

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as amended by the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 (Cth), regulates how private sector organisations (including insurers) handle ‘personal information’ relating to policyholders.

Organisations are required to comply with the 10 Australian Privacy Principles, which set minimum standards for collection, storage, use, security and disposal of personal information.

The federal Privacy Commissioner has released guidelines to assist insurers and policyholders with their privacy concerns.

For more information, see Chapter 12.4: Privacy and your rights.

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