Description of Conduct

On 7 October 2021, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) lodged an application for authorisation on behalf of itself and certain of its members who issue policies that provide business interruption cover. On 4 November 2021, ICA provided a further public submission confirming the details of the conduct for which it is seeking authorisation.

Authorisation would enable the ICA and firms that issue business interruption insurance policies to enter into arrangements to use a web-based tool developed to assist in the assessment of business interruption claims arising from COVID-19 (the DSpark Tool). Specifically, each participating insurer who wants to use the DSpark Tool will enter into a User Agreement with the ICA which sets out the terms of use and access.

The ACCC granted interim authorisation on 1 December 2021.

The ACCC issued a draft determination on 24 February 2022 proposing to grant authorisation until 2 October 2023.

On 24 March 2022, the ACCC issued a final determination granting authorisation until 2 October 2023.

The ACCC’s final determination, draft determination and interim authorisation decision and a copy of the application for authorisation are available below.

Applicant(s)

  • Insurance Council of Australia Ltd (ICA)

Authorisation number(s)

  • AA1000582-1