Insurance brokers in Australia will have more options when placing technology and media risks after CFC Underwriting expanded its offering in the country with on-shore underwriting and locally traded products.
The specialist insurer said brokers can now choose between technology and media policies that are underwritten locally by CFC or use the company’s existing global policy wordings. Local underwriting capability is intended to provide access to specialist support in the same time zone and enable faster decisions when placing risks.
The expanded products provide coverage for technology professional indemnity, cyber, media liability, and products and services liability. They also include affirmative artificial intelligence cover for technology and cyber risks and allow brokers to trade technology policies digitally through CFC’s Connect platform.
The move comes as Australia’s technology and media sectors continue to expand, bringing new professional liability and cyber exposures into focus for insurers and intermediaries.
According to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Australia’s technology sector contributes more than AU$160 billion annually to the national economy and employs hundreds of thousands of workers across software development, fintech, artificial intelligence and digital services. The country has also seen rapid growth in start-ups and venture-backed technology firms, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.
At the same time, Australia’s media and digital content industries are evolving quickly as streaming, digital publishing and social media platforms reshape how content is produced and distributed. These shifts have increased exposure to intellectual property disputes, defamation claims, data breaches and technology service failures - risks typically addressed through technology professional indemnity and media liability policies.
Cyber risk is another major driver. The Australian Cyber Security Centre has reported a steady rise in cyber incidents affecting businesses, with ransomware and supply-chain attacks among the most significant threats to technology providers and digital platforms.
The launch of CFC’s on-shore capability also coincides with the appointment of Stella Gilson (pictured) as national manager for technology and media. Gilson has moved to Sydney from CFC’s London office and will oversee local underwriting while working with brokers across the Australian market.
Gilson spent the past 12 years as a media and technology underwriter at CFC in London. She joined the company in 2014 from Oxford Insurance Brokers Limited.
“Australia’s technology and creative sectors are thriving, and brokers are telling us they need clearer, more responsive support when placing technology and media risks,” Gilson said.
“As the digital landscape evolves with escalating cyber threats, increased AI adoption and rising regulatory expectations, our expanded offering gives brokers the flexibility they need, backed by both local and global expertise.”
Gilson said the new structure is also designed to streamline the placement process for brokers.
“This is another step in simplifying the trading experience for Australian brokers, ensuring they have the choice to access the service they need. Brokers can now access both locally underwritten and familiar CFC coverage on shore, supported by the same specialist expertise behind every decision.”
For Australian brokers, the expansion reflects a broader trend across the specialty market: insurers investing in local underwriting capabilities as technology risks become more complex and region-specific.
