Moving to address industry insurance crisis AALARA releases survey on Discretionary Mutual Fund

May 3, 2021

Moving to address what it calls the “catastrophic consequences of a failing insurance market”, the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) is calling on all of its members to complete an online survey on the issue.

In a communication to members and stakeholders, AALARA General Manager, Kristy Ahrens advised “in effort to overcome this issue, AALARA has entered into a partnership with Aon to establish an industry owned and operated discretionary mutual fund for the benefit of members.

“Mutuals offer an alternative to the traditional insurance product and are well established in Australia having been established over the years to respond to areas of the market were insurance was becoming difficult to obtain or was cost prohibitive. Mutuals are successfully operated by local councils, international restaurant chains, universities and motor trades.”

With Ahrens advising that “a critical first step in establishing the mutual is a feasibility study”, AALARA is calling on every member to complete an online survey.

Ahrens emphasises that “completing the survey does not mean a member is pre committed to join the mutual however allows Aon to evaluate risk and determining underwriter interest in working with the mutual.

“Participation in the feasibility study will help those members who need an alternative to traditional public liability insurance due to cost and or availability (and) if you don’t need the mutual yourself, you can help other members.”

All information provided will be held in confidence by Aon.

AALARA is assisting with the distribution of the survey which can be completed as well as asking those who complete the survey to complete a ‘letter of authority’.

The letter of authority allows Aon to request member claims history from current insurance providers. This information is not provided to AALARA.

Aon will be addressing the creation of industry mutual fund in presentations at the upcoming AALARA industry Roadshow events at Luna Park Melbourne on 5th May or Sea World Resort on 12th May.

Click here to complete the AALARA/Aon survey.

Click here to complete the Letter of Authority (external website).

Click here for information on AALARA's Melbourne and Gold Coast Roadshows and other attractions sector events in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

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22nd April 2021 - AALARA’s first Roadshow event addresses key industry issues with update on moves to establish discretionary mutual fund

21st April 2021 - Victorian Government releases $633 million ‘roadmap’ funding to boost tourism and major events

12th April 2021 - Failure to secure insurance see Australia’s last circus with exotic animals move to retire its lions and monkeys

11th April 2021 - NSW Premier ‘considering’ new inquest into fatal Luna Park Ghost Train fire

2nd April 2021 - Save Victorian Events highlight Bluesfest cancellation as confirmation of need for Governments to back event cancellation insurance

24th March 2021 - AALARA presents need for Federal Government backing for insurance crisis resolution at Canberra meetings

24th March 2021 - Sydney Showground gets approval to host up to 60,000 people a day for the Royal Easter Show

25th February 2021 - AALARA to replace single annual conference with one-day events in Sydney, Melbourne and on the Gold Coast

19th February 2021 - Queensland theme parks cut opening hours as guest numbers decline

12th February 2021 - Inability to secure insurance forces closure of Barra Fun Park in Townsville

30th December 2020 - AALARA releases ‘urgent request for the survival of our industry’

18th November 2020 - AALARA takes action as attractions operators face public liability issues

14th November 2020 - Gold Coast theme parks move forward with new rides

5th June 2020 - Ardent and Village Roadshow look for early reopening of Gold Coast theme parks

27th May 2020 - AALARA releases guide for the reopening of Australia’s attractions industry

29th April 2020 - AALARA updates members on attractions sector challenges

25th March 2020 - AALARA releases COVID-19 Action Plan

24th February 2020 - AALARA highlights Australian theme parks’ ongoing safety commitments

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