When the temperature plunges below zero even the most experienced drivers can have difficulty managing icy roads. In Australia’s southern states, driving in the winter months can be a dangerous experience with extreme weather conditions and poor visibility. One of the more dangerous road hazards during these winter months is black ice.

What is black ice?

Black ice, also known as clear ice, is a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface, most typically roads. With a somewhat misleading name the ice itself is not actually black, but rather it is transparent allowing the road or surface below to be seen through it.

Where to expect black ice.

Black ice tends to form overnight, in the early hours of the morning or on sections of road that aren’t exposed to sunlight during the day (for example, those areas of the road that are sheltered by trees). Black ice forms without bubbles, which allows it to blend in with any surface it forms over, making it incredibly difficult to detect. Before you head out, keep your eye on local weather and highway reports which may advise of areas recently affected by black ice.

How to spot black ice.

While black ice is transparent, it can sometimes be seen in the right lighting conditions - if you are looking for it. Black ice almost always forms in smooth, very glossy sheets. This glossy surface is your indication of potential black ice. If the majority of the road you're driving on appears dull, but the patch just ahead appears shiny, you may be about to drive onto black ice.

What to do if you hit black ice.

If you hit black ice, you will have little or no control over your vehicle but the most important thing to remember is to remain calm. The following Government sites provide great advice for dealing with black ice encounters:

 

If either you or your clients have experienced an accident involving black ice, contact your GT rep to lodge your claim today.

 

 

Tony has over 25 years’ experience across a number of key roles and for the last four years has been General Manager Sales and Distribution at GT Insurance.

Tony said he was looking forward to moving into the new role and continuing the momentum that GT Insurance has achieved in the market.

“GT Insurance moves from strength to strength, evolving to the second-largest insurer in the transport sector in Australia. This result comes from the commitment and energy of our people and I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them in this capacity”, he said.

Allianz Australia’s Managing Director, Richard Feledy, said he had full confidence that Tony would be able to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.

“Tony is a strong leader who brings to the role a wealth of experience and industry knowledge. He also has a team of highly motivated individuals at GT Insurance, who work hard to deliver great results. With this solid combination, I feel confident Tony is well equipped to navigate the challenges that lie ahead and translate them into new opportunities for the business. I am looking forward to an exciting new chapter in the life of GT Insurance,” he said.

Tony assumed the role of Deputy CEO effective 1 September 2019, ensuring a smooth transition through to the conclusion of Glenn’s tenure in December this year.

Tony will become CEO in an official capacity from 1 January 2020.

From 1 July 2019, insurers are required to comply with the NSW Emergency Services Levy (ESL) Insurance Monitor’s revised price comparison order to provide a year on year price comparison to NSW small business and retail customers, on property and motor policy renewals.

This means insurers and their representatives must provide customers with a year on year price comparison.

What does this mean for customers?
The change will provide greater consistency, transparency and simplicity for your customers in terms of the information set out in their renewals.

GT Insurance has implemented a change across our systems to include a price comparison table on all renewals and all renewal reminders of applicable insurance policies. We have developed a dedicated ESL page for the price comparison information which will be included in your customers’ renewals and renewal reminders.

For your customers, the changes will be effective for all motor policies with a renewal effective date of 15 July 2019 onwards.

Which policies are affected?
All commercial motor fleet and transport package policies sold to domestic and business customers are affected.

GT Insurance’s approach to the change 

National approach While the change is only required for NSW based risks, GT Insurance is taking a national approach for all motor fleet and transport package policies.

This means that risks based in other states will also show the price comparison, ensuring consistency and greater disclosure for your customers.
Aggregated premium GT Insurance will show the actual premium that has been paid to GT Insurance in the previous year (including any mid-term adjustments); we call this the aggregated premium.

The rationale for using aggregated premium is to reduce potential errors in calculating annualised premiums and avoid any confusion for customers.
Product vs policy level We will show the comparison at a policy level as these policies often have multiple products.

 

Intermediary fee 
It is the responsibility of the broker to include the intermediary fee on their renewal notices. Commission will not be itemised in the comparison table as this forms part of the base premium.

What action is required? 
GT Insurance will issue the price comparison with your customers’ renewal documentation automatically as outlined above. As a broker, you are required under the NSW ESL Insurance Monitor’s revised price comparison order to provide this year on year price comparison to NSW small business and retail customers, on property and motor policy renewals.

Any intermediary fees (excluding commissions) must be included by brokers in customers’ renewal documentation.

 

Global Transport & Automotive Insurance Solutions Pty Ltd ABN 93 069 048 255 | AFS Licence No. 240714 (trading as GT Insurance) as agent for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 | AFS Licence No. 234708