Join us for our upcoming Insurance Think Tank, where a panel of industry leaders will explore whether social inflation is becoming a defining issue for the Australian insurance market and what it could mean for claims, pricing, underwriting and the future of risk.

Social inflation has reshaped insurance markets overseas, driving higher claims costs, shifting underwriting appetite and increasing pressure on pricing. While Australia's experience has been different, many are questioning whether similar forces are beginning to emerge through rising legal costs, litigation funding, class actions and changing community expectations.

Is this simply a gradual shift or are we approaching a turning point for the Australian insurance market?

Our panel will examine the impact of social inflation across insurance lines and explore the implications for claims, pricing, underwriting and the evolving risk landscape.

This Insurance Think Tank offers a valuable opportunity to gain insights into one of the most significant issues facing the insurance industry and discuss how organisations can prepare for the challenges ahead.

Following the panel discussion, we invite you to join us for drinks and canapés to continue the conversation and connect with fellow insurance, risk and legal professionals.

• The rise of social inflation and its impact on insurance markets.
• Claims costs, litigation trends and changing community expectations.
• Repricing risk across insurance lines.
• Implications for underwriting, claims and risk management.
• What the future may hold for the Australian insurance market.

Joseph Hershewe
Practice Leader, Claims | Bellrock Advisory

Joe brings more than 16 years' experience across consulting, law and the insurance industry, with expertise in claims management, litigation and dispute resolution.

Having managed claims across Australia, New Zealand, the US, UK and EU, Joe specialises in financial lines, healthcare and casualty and has extensive experience advising insurers and insureds on complex claims and risk matters. His people-focused approach is centred on building trusted relationships and delivering practical, long-term outcomes for clients.

Joel Arbuthnot
Head of Global Technical Services | Crawford & Company

Joel Arbuthnot is an Executive Loss Adjuster and current Head of Global Technical Services (Australia), Crawford & Company’s major and complex loss division.

Joel is a dual qualified adjuster, with a background in claim management across the UK, Ireland, and Australia; currently specialising in corporate and industrial losses, as well as sensitive matters.

Michael Williams
Technical Claims Lead | Zurich

Michael is the Technical Claims Lead at Zurich Australia, where he provides strategic advice on large loss and complex claims across all areas of general insurance. A qualified lawyer in New South Wales and England & Wales, he has more than 17 years' experience in insurance litigation and coverage, with expertise spanning financial lines, liability, property and marine claims. Prior to joining Zurich, Michael practised in Australia and the UK, specialising in financial lines and professional indemnity litigation.

Chris Bresler
Partner | Colin Biggers & Paisley

Chris is a highly regarded property insurance and recoveries lawyer, with experience acting for domestic and London Market insurers. He advises on intricate coverage and defence of first party property claims including on complex recoveries,  in the construction and infrastructure space.

Read more about our panel.

Moderator: Debbie Kaminskas
Partner | Colin Biggers & Paisley

Debbie has been a member of Colin Biggers & Paisley's Insurance team since 2006 and became a partner in 2019. She specialises in insurance litigation, with particular expertise in defending general liability and professional indemnity claims, acting for insurers and corporate clients across Australia and internationally.

Read more about Debbie here.