Report Into R66-Million Netball Lottery Grant Recommends Litigation to Recover Funds
The Special Investigating Unit is probing the grant
marketing
Sunday Times Editor Makhudu Sefara Placed on “Special Leave” After SIU Announces Investigation
Sefara was elected chair of the South African National Editors Forum despite concerns raised about his connections to the Lottery
Mopane Worm and Termite Sales Relieve Poverty in Rural South Africa – Studies Explore the Impact
Mopane worms are an important source of food security and cash income for some rural households.
Company Sold Stolen and Expired Insulin to Malawi’s Hospitals
Yet it has got away with minor sanctions and continues to operate
TransUnion Africa Appoints Annemie Botha to Lead Legal, Risk and Compliance
TransUnion Africa, a global information and insights company, announced the appointment of Annemie Botha as General Counsel, effective 1 February 2026.
In her role, Botha will lead TransUnion Africa’s Legal, Risk and Compliance function across South Africa, Botswana, eSwatini, Namibia, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, and Malawi. Her remit spans aligning legal and regulatory strategy with business objectives, strengthening governance frameworks, and supporting sustainable growth across these markets, with a strong focus on advancing transparency, fairness and consumer protection across the financial ecosystem.
Botha brings over 17 years of experience in legal advisory, compliance, privacy and corporate governance, with deep expertise across credit bureau regulation and financial services. Her appointment reflects TransUnion’s continued commitment to building a future-ready organisation that balances innovation with strong regulatory and risk management practices, anchored in responsible data use and positive consumer outcomes.
She most recently served as Director of Compliance at TransUnion Africa, where she led compliance strategy across eight African jurisdictions, driving governance, regulatory engagement and risk management at an executive level. Her work has consistently focused on translating regulatory requirements into practical frameworks that support both business resilience and consumer trust. Prior to this, Botha held the role of Privacy Counsel, where she established the Africa Privacy Committee and played a key role in enhancing the organisation’s privacy framework and regulatory relationships across the continent.
Earlier in her career and prior to TransUnion, Botha served as an in-house legal advisor and executive where she built and scaled the organisation’s legal and compliance functions, led mergers and acquisitions activities, and supported complex investment transactions. Her experience spans multi-jurisdictional regulatory engagement, corporate governance, and advising executive teams and boards on a wide range of risk and compliance matters.
In addition to her executive role, Botha has played an active leadership role in the broader industry, serving as Board Chair and Non-Executive Director of the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa, and contributing to regulatory and industry developments through various forums.
Botha’s appointment comes at a time when organisations are navigating increasingly complex regulatory environments, rapid technological advancements, and evolving market dynamics. In her new role, she will focus on aligning legal and compliance capabilities with TransUnion Africa’s business strategy, enabling innovation while maintaining robust governance and risk management frameworks, ensuring these capabilities continue to build confidence in financial markets.
Her priorities include strengthening regulatory and industry engagement, supporting expansion into new markets, enhancing cross-border legal and compliance capabilities, and ensuring the organisation remains agile and responsive to emerging trends, including the evolving use of data and technology within the financial ecosystem.
Lee Naik CEO and Regional President at TransUnion Africa, commented: “Annemie brings a unique combination of legal expertise, commercial acumen and a deep understanding of our business and markets. Her ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, business-enabling solutions makes her exceptionally well positioned for this role. She brings a clear focus on ensuring our regulatory approach continues to support transparency, accountability and trust across the markets we serve. We are confident that under her leadership, our Legal, Risk and Compliance function will continue to play a critical role in supporting TransUnion Africa’s growth and strategic ambitions.”
Botha added: “I am honoured to take on the role of General Counsel at such an exciting time for TransUnion Africa. We have a strong foundation in place, and my focus will be on ensuring that our legal, risk and compliance capabilities remain closely aligned to our business strategy, enabling innovation while supporting sustainable growth. We are committed to upholding high standards of transparency and responsible data use, recognising the important role we play in strengthening confidence across the financial value chain. I look forward to working with our teams across the region to build on this momentum and drive meaningful impact for our clients and the markets we serve whilst ensuring we deliver on our mission of Information for Good.”
Botha succeeds Jeannine Naudé in leading Legal, Risk and Compliance following Naudé’s appointment as Head of Africa Regions for TransUnion in January.
Most Social Grant Fraud Involves Officials, Not Beneficiaries, Report Says
The Institute for Economic Justice says 75% of reported fraud cases have involved government employees, contractors or officials
R66-Million Lottery Grant for Netball Courts Halted After Investigation
Special Investigating Unit has launched a probe into a grant to Netball SA for a World Cup 2023 legacy project
Obesity Is on the Rise in Africa: 5 Essential Reads on What to Do
Obesity remains a problem in Africa.
The Man Who Helped Expose Lottery Corruption Has Died
Ado Krige supplied key documents that blew corruption at the NLC wide open
Tourism Sector Steps up as Confidence in SA Tourism Wanes
It appears that the private tourism sector is taking steps to become increasingly self-sufficient and manage its own affairs, as government’s ability to properly fulfil its role keeps diminishing. The CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), Mr Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, recently stated in a media interview (The Daily Tourism Update) that the […]
The post Tourism sector steps up as confidence in SA Tourism wanes: yet another argument for less state control appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Foot-And-Mouth Disease: While Minister Bickers About State Control, Rural Economies Grind to a Halt
While the Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuisen, is defending government’s exclusive right to procure and administer foot-and-mouth disease vaccines in court, the economic crisis affecting rural communities keeps expanding. Most rural towns are primarily sustained by agriculture. Rural economies consist mainly of input suppliers, businesses that receive and process agricultural products, financial and personal […]
The post Foot-and-mouth disease: while Minister bickers about state control, rural economies grind to a halt appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Sport, Arts and Culture Department Opts for Symbolism Rather Than Economic Growth
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) views the decision of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, to approve name changes in the Eastern Cape as proof that limited public funds are wasted on misguided priorities. The very same Department that approved 21 geographical name changes – including several costly ones, such as […]
The post Sport, Arts and Culture Department opts for symbolism rather than economic growth appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Afcon Drama: What Went Wrong and What Went Right at the Continent’s Biggest Football Cup in Morocco
The 2026 Afcon’s on-field disturbances should not take away from its accomplishments.
Foot-And-Mouth Disease: Employ Farm Watches in Livestock Movement Control to Keep “Clean” Areas Clean
With the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic wreaking havoc on livestock marketing, it is crucial to protect areas that are still free of the disease. This can be achieved by ensuring that infected animals are not transported – something for which the legal framework exists, but the capacity to enforce it is lacking. Foot-and-mouth disease is a […]
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How South Africa’s Fintech Industry Is Driving Financial Wellness Through Responsible BNPL Innovation
- Rising costs are pushing South Africans to seek smarter ways to manage money. BNPL offers flexible, low-risk relief for monthly budgets.
- Responsible BNPL isn’t just a payment method; it’s a financial wellness tool.
- When used responsibly, access to interest-free instalments and transparency help consumers avoid high interest or unaffordable debt and build better habits.
As economic pressure mounts and the cost of living continues to rise, South Africans are seeking new ways to balance their monthly budgets without falling deeper into debt. Within this landscape, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) models are rapidly reshaping how consumers approach spending, offering flexibility and access while encouraging responsible money management.
Industry leaders agree that when used correctly, BNPL can be more than a payment tool; it can be a gateway to financial wellness, empowering consumers to make informed, controlled spending decisions that support long-term stability.
“Financial wellness goes beyond survival,” says Mladen Čolić, Head of Fintech at TransUnion South Africa. “It’s about giving consumers visibility into their financial behaviour and the tools to make better decisions. Responsible BNPL use can play a meaningful role in that journey, helping people manage their cash flow, avoid high cost or unmanageable debt, and build a foundation for long-term financial stability.”
From Financial Stability to Financial Wellness
The most recent TransUnion Q4 2025 Consumer Pulse Study shows that while South African households remain under financial pressure, signs of financial adaptation are emerging. In Q4, 48% of consumers reported that their household finances were better than planned, yet 36% anticipated missing at least one bill or loan repayment, highlighting the continued strain many households face. In response, 51% of consumers reported cutting discretionary spending, while others adjusted budgets and prioritised longer-term financial stability. Within this cautious environment, more consumers are turning to flexible digital credit options like BNPL which, when used responsibly, can offer a manageable form of short-term borrowing to help navigate ongoing affordability pressures.
According to data from Payflex, the South African BNPL market Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) is greater than 80% since 2022, with usage particularly strong in fashion, beauty, and consumer electronics categories. E-commerce platforms continue to drive adoption, and BNPL transactions will account for an estimated R25 billion in annual retail spend by 2026, highlighting its growing role in the formal retail economy.
This shift reflects an evolution in how consumers think about money. Financial stability is about meeting immediate needs, keeping bills paid and food on the table while financial wellness goes further, focusing on sustainable, informed financial behaviours that build confidence and resilience over time.
How BNPL Supports Smarter Spending
BNPL allows consumers to purchase goods or services and repay them over a short, fixed instalment period, typically three or four payments at zero interest when paid on time, offering a structured alternative to other forms of short-term credit. For some consumers, avoiding revolving debt allows them to plan purchases more effectively and smooth out cash flow without the burden of high-interest credit.
“BNPL isn’t about fuelling more debt,” says Tracey-Lee Zürcher-Campbell, Chief Marketing Officer at Payflex. “It’s about giving consumers flexibility and predictability, helping them manage their cash flow responsibly while avoiding the pitfalls of high-interest credit. When used correctly, BNPL can support everyday financial stability and contribute to broader financial wellness.”
She adds that this level of transparency is key to consumer trust: “South Africans are increasingly discerning about the financial tools they use. They want products that help them live better within their means, not overextend them. BNPL works when it’s built around clarity, discipline, and accountability.”
Data, Discipline, and Wealth Creation
Responsible BNPL models, supported by data analytics, affordability checks, and consumer education are essential to keeping the category sustainable. For many, these tools also offer a path toward financial inclusion.
Encouraging on-time repayments and transparent data sharing enables BNPL providers to help consumers build a positive payment history, strengthening their financial reputation over time. “When BNPL data is shared responsibly, every on-time payment becomes a useful indicator of positive financial behaviour,” says Čolić. “These data points help build a more complete view of a consumer’s financial profile, supporting greater access and accountability over time.”
As South Africa looks to expanding regulation to support BNPL, the financial sector is showing growing alignment around the principles of transparency, affordability, and responsible innovation. From credit bureaus and FinTechs to retailers and regulators, the shared goal is to ensure that digital credit tools enhance rather than undermine consumer wellbeing.
“The FinTech industry has a collective responsibility to innovate with purpose,” says Zürcher-Campbell. “That means designing products that empower South Africans to make better financial decisions, not just more transactions. When people understand and control their financial choices, they can move from survival to real wellness.”
Millennials Enjoy Creative Tourism – New Research Uncovers a Business Opportunity for South Africans
Younger South Africans who have the money to travel locally are keen on learning culturally relevant and creative skills while on holiday.
South Africa’s Auto Sector Sees Strong Growth Amid Evolving Consumer and Insurance Trends
- New passenger car sales hit multi-year highs, totalling 102,268 units in Q1 2025
- Younger buyers and budget-conscious consumers reshape the financing and brand landscape
- South Africa’s younger car buyers are turning to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, reshaping the automotive marketing playbook
- New insights on insurance trends highlight growing risk of uninsured vehicles
The latest TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report (formerly the Vehicle Pricing Index) for Q1 2025 highlights a strong rebound in the country’s automotive market. This recovery has been driven by improved consumer sentiment, declining interest rates, access to retirement savings through two-pot withdrawals, and rising real wages. According to naamsa data, new passenger vehicle sales continued their upward trajectory in the first quarter, with monthly volumes averaging over 34,000 units, the highest levels seen since Q3 2015.
Affordability remains a key driver of vehicle purchasing and financing decisions. Creative financing options, longer ownership cycles, and the growing availability of value-oriented models are significantly reshaping consumer behaviour, particularly among younger and first-time buyers. The Q1 2025 TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights report highlights that several emerging brands offering competitively priced vehicles have recorded strong year-over-year growth, contributing to the overall surge in new vehicle sales.
“South African consumers are returning to the vehicle market with a clear focus on value and flexibility,” says Lee Naik, CEO TransUnion Africa. “We’re seeing a continued shift away from traditional premium segments in favour of more accessible alternatives that meet evolving needs and budgets.”
Insurance Trends Reveal Shifting Landscape and Rising Risk
The Q1 2025 report introduces new data on insurance-linked vehicle asset finance (VAF). As of early 2025, only 39% of insured vehicle owners had financed vehicles, down from 44% in 2020. This signals a rise in alternative financing or lapses in insurance post-purchase, especially concerning as TransUnion’s 2024 Insurance Survey found that 25% of vehicle users had driven uninsured in the past six months.
This trend has implications for lenders, who face greater asset risk in the event of write-offs without insurance recovery, and for insurers, whose portfolios may now carry increased exposure. To mitigate these risks, strategies such as bundled insurance, usage-based coverage and low-cost flexible insurance models are growing in relevance.
Used Vehicle Momentum Slows as New Sales Lead Recovery
While used vehicles have dominated financing trends in recent years, Q1 2025 marked a notable shift back toward new vehicle purchases, driven by easing interest rates, improved entry-level model availability, and aggressive manufacturer incentives. Notably, the influx of competitively priced Chinese models has attracted budget-conscious buyers away from the used market, fuelling fresh growth in new vehicle registrations.
“Consumers are holding onto their cars for an average of six to eight years, compared to the previous five years, a trend that reflects affordability constraints and a more cautious approach to ownership,” says Naik.
Affordability and Flexibility Drive Change
The report reveals that shifting consumer preferences are reshaping the competitive landscape, with some established manufacturers experiencing year-over-year sales declines while more affordable and value-driven entrants continue to gain market share.
“The definition of value is changing,” says Naik. “It’s no longer just about the price tag, it’s about financing flexibility, long-term ownership costs, and trust in the product. That’s what’s driving consumer decisions today.”
Social Media's Growing Influence on South African Car Buyers
Generation Z’s1 rising influence, with a 27.9% year-on-year increase in vehicle finance volumes, highlights why social media has become essential for automotive brands aiming to attract younger buyers. As South Africans spend over 3.5 hours daily on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, 76% of users now turn to social media for product research, pushing automotive brands toward digital-first strategies with influencer campaigns, short-form videos, and interactive content, yet South Africa’s low social media ad spend signals a major untapped growth opportunity for marketers.
Social platforms are reshaping how South African consumers research, engage with, and purchase vehicles, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials1 who expect personalised, digital-first experiences. To stay competitive, brands are adopting influencer collaborations, platform-specific strategies, AI-enabled targeting, and immersive tools like augmented reality and virtual reality. Social commerce is gaining ground as buyers look for seamless, in-app journeys from browsing to booking.
Economic Outlook: Growth with Caution
The broader economic outlook for South Africa in 2025 remains cautiously optimistic, with GDP expected to grow by 1.4%, driven primarily by household consumption. While industrial output remains under pressure, consumer-driven sectors, particularly retail and vehicle sales, continue to show resilience. Vehicle export activity rose modestly by 0.4% year-over-year in Q1 2025, signalling a gradual recovery following the sharp decline in the previous quarter.
“The strong recovery in new vehicle sales is a positive sign,” says Naik. “But sustaining this growth will require policy certainty, infrastructure investment, and structural reforms. Without these, the economy remains vulnerable.”
“The South African automotive sector is adapting to new consumer behaviours and market forces. The insurance gap, affordability options, credit access and rising Gen Z1 participation will shape the road ahead. Collaboration across industry players is vital for long-term growth,” concludes Naik.
Read the full TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report here.
1 Generation X (Gen X): Born 1965–1980; Millennials (Gen Y): Born 1981–1996; Gen Z (Generation Z) Born 1997–2012
ENDS
Notes to Editors: To provide you with timely market insights, we are updating our reporting structure.
Starting this quarter, the Vehicle Pricing Index will be renamed the TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report, reflecting our broader focus on mobility trends. Vehicle Finance data will now be included in the TransUnion South Africa Industry Insights Report (IIR).
Misleading Adjustment Budget Rejected
Speaker, after enduring the Minister’s thirty-five–page marathon of a speech, I walked out not inspired, not reassured, but deeply disappointed.
This year’s adjustment budget is nothing short of an insult to the people of this province.
The post GOOD REJECTS MISLEADING ADJUSTMENT BUDGET AND CALLS OUT FALSE CLAIMS appeared first on For Good.
Be the Reason: A Movement in Partnership with TransUnion and the International Finance Corporation to Unlock Financial Opportunity for All
TransUnion, a global information and insights company, has launched a bold new campaign, ‘Be the Reason Things Change’, aimed at making financial inclusion a reality for more South Africans. This powerful initiative calls on individuals, communities, businesses, and institutions to join a movement for change, one that ensures every person is seen, supported, and given the tools to participate in the formal financial system.
In a country known for both its beauty and inequality, where access to formal credit remains out of reach for many, ‘Be the Reason Things Change’ seeks to break down the barriers that keep people excluded, by focusing on consumer education, innovation, and community engagement. The campaign is designed to help South Africans take control of their financial futures, regardless of who they are or where they come from, whilst also advocating for businesses to embrace alternative data and innovative scoring solutions to see and serve the unseen. By doing so, they too can empower the disempowered, expanding access and inclusion, and enabling more people to participate meaningfully in the financial ecosystem and live the lives they deserve.
“At TransUnion, we believe in a world where the impossible becomes possible, where the unseen are finally seen, and where every South African deserves the opportunity to participate fully in the economy,” says Lee Naik, CEO TransUnion Africa.
’Be the Reason Things Change’ is more than a campaign slogan; it’s a call to action to take part in building a more inclusive financial system. Through innovative data solutions and consumer education, we aim to spark a national conversation about breaking down barriers in the credit landscape and ensuring financial empowerment is accessible to all. Ultimately, we want more South Africans to be included in the formal financial economy, empowering them to understand how access to credit can transform their lives and enable them to uplift their communities,” says Naik.
Addressing South Africa’s Financial Inclusion Challenge
Many South Africans continue to face obstacles in accessing formal credit and quality financial services. Traditional systems often feel exclusive or out of reach, especially for underserved individuals and small businesses, because they rely heavily on past borrowing behaviour as the primary measure of creditworthiness. According to TransUnion’s CreditVision® Telco Data Score data-modelling, over 1.4 million credit-invisible South Africans open new credit accounts each year, contributing to more than four million new accounts over the past three years*. Yet traditional scoring models frequently fail to assess these consumers accurately, leaving over 16 million adults outside the formal credit system. Successfully integrating these and other excluded consumers into the economy could contribute an estimated R173 billion to South Africa’s GDP.
A significant portion, approximately 35% of new-to-credit consumers are under the age of 25, many entering the workforce for the first time and using credit to cover essentials such as work clothing. This highlights the urgent need for innovative, inclusive tools that better reflect the realities of younger, digitally active individuals who may lack a conventional credit footprint.
TransUnion is shifting the paradigm by embracing alternative data, creating new scoring capabilities, and ensuring that individuals who were once unclassifiable can now be assessed fairly and accurately. Its “Be the Reason Things Change” campaign responds to this need by equipping the public with practical tools, credit education, and the confidence to take charge of their financial futures.
Collaborative Effort with Global Partners
The campaign is supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has played a key role as a technical advisor and promotor of credit information tools in South Africa, reinforcing the global imperative to expand equitable access to financial services.
“We are proud to support TransUnion’s ‘Be the Reason Things Change’ campaign, which aligns closely with our mission to advance inclusive economic development,” says Cláudia Conceição, IFC Regional Director for Southern Africa. “By removing barriers to credit access, this initiative empowers individuals and communities to build financial resilience and unlock economic opportunity, key pillars of long-term social impact.”
This collaboration highlights the value of cross-sector partnerships in tackling systemic financial exclusion, combining local insights with global best practices to deliver scalable solutions.
Empowering Through Education, Innovation, Investment and Africa Firsts
‘Be the Reason Things Change’ will see TransUnion roll out a fully integrated marketing campaign designed to demystify the credit system and empower people from all walks of life. Key pillars of the campaign include:
- A first-ever interactive peelable billboard in Africa, installed at Melrose Arch, located by the entrance off Corlett Drive in Johannesburg.
- A first-ever digital billboard aimed at reaching audiences beyond the Johannesburg area.
- Transformational stories from campaign ambassadors include Springbok rugby stars Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am, as well as fashion entrepreneur Tshepo Mohlala
- Springbok, Lukhanyo Am and fashion entrepreneur, Tshepo Mohlala will be launching the campaign at Melrose Arch on 21 August 2025 where they will peel the first layers of the billboard and share their own personal journeys.
- Over R10m valued in sponsorship and investment in e-learning credit courses for over 5,000 South Africans.
- Practical education: Simple, clear resources to help people understand credit scores, manage debt, and make informed financial choices.
- A unique AI-powered digital film piece.
- Innovative Solutions: New offerings to help enable lenders to see consumers previously unseen, empowering consumers to access new credit opportunities
‘Be the Reason Things Change’ is about rewriting the story around credit and creditworthiness,” says Naik. “We want every South African to understand how credit works, what their score means, and how they can maintain and improve it. More importantly, we want them to believe they can be the reason things change.”
Campaign Execution Partners
The campaign was brought to life through a dynamic collaboration with creative agency 1 Over One, who led the conceptual development; local production partner Run Jump Fly, who delivered a unique AI-powered digital film piece, FleishmanHillard South Africa and Capacity Relations who provided strategic PR, media and activation support to amplify the message and ensure meaningful engagement across key audiences.
Join the Movement
TransUnion invites all South Africans to join the movement for financial inclusion. To learn more, participate in the campaign, and access educational resources, visit www.transunion.co.za/bethereason.
Consumers can get their free annual credit report from TransUnion here.
* The three-year period refers to an analysis of the TransUnion Credit Bureau database over the period for January 2022 – December 2025.
TransUnion South Africa Busts Three Short-Term Insurance Industry Myths
Every industry has its myths, and the short-term insurance environment is no exception: leading industry players plan their growth strategies around perceptions of a limited pool of customers, focusing mostly on pricing strategies to attract new business, and finding ways to avoid consumers perceived as too risky.
The best way to confirm or ‘bust’ industry myths is to test them through experiments and data analysis to reveal the truth – and that’s exactly what TransUnion South Africa did with data it holds in the short-term insurance sector.
“South African consumers remain under pressure despite recent interest rate cuts, making this an opportune moment for insurers to rethink their customer acquisition and retention strategies – and to challenge the truisms they’ve relied on in recent years,” said Schalk Fischer, insurance lead at TransUnion South Africa. “To drive better outcomes, insurers must evolve and adapt their strategies to respond to changing market conditions, drawing on risk-management solutions that feature unique data and advanced analytics.”
Myth 1: With stagnant total policy volumes, the only way for an insurer to grow is to win customers from other insurers.
In assessing all new short-term insurance policies taken out between April 2024 and March 2025, TransUnion found that only 17% of new policies were opened by consumers moving to another insurer. Another 37% involved ‘policy splitting’, where consumers moved cover of one of their assets to a new provider, but did not move their whole portfolio.
This means that roughly 54% of new policies are opened due to churn – a significant portion, but certainly not the overwhelming portion that many insurers believe it to be.
“This data shows key growth opportunities for insurers lie among consumers who are new to insurance. In fact, 33% of new policies opened during the time of the study were taken out by consumers who had not had an insurance premium in the previous 24 months,” Fischer said. “While the short-term industry will always be very competitive, there are growth opportunities outside of working aggressively to attract customers from other insurers.”
Myth 2: Loyalty in short-term insurance is dead. Price is the primary variable.
With many consumers scrambling for cost savings, price is perceived to be the most important differentiator between insurers, along with being seen as the main reason that consumers leave one insurer for another.
TransUnion’s analysis showed that 13% of insured consumers who cancel their insurance eventually return to their original insurance provider over time, without switching to another insurer in the interim.
This brand loyalty is fairly consistent between different distribution channels: 9% for banks’ insurance offerings, 11% for brokers, and 14% for direct insurers.
“These findings highlight that, while insurance pricing is certainly a leading consideration among consumers, it is evident that brand loyalty is still a driving factor,” Fischer said. “Marketing and acquisition strategies clearly focus on price, but there’s a greater than expected opportunity to build loyalty that will either retain customers or encourage them to return to brands they have trusted before.”
Myth 3: The new-to-insurance segment is small and only includes risky younger consumers.
TransUnion’s analysis revealed that one in three (33%) consumers who took out policies between April 2024 and March 2025 were new to insurance – they did not have short-term insurance payments linked to their identity number in the previous 24 months.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that all newly insured consumers were uninsured before. Some may have previously been covered under their partner or spouse, and later separated their insurance portfolios, or they could have been young adults who sought their own cover after being included in their parents’ policies.
“These findings show that insurers need to expand the scope of how they segment their target audiences, as new-to-insurance consumers are not always who they’re perceived to be,” Fischer adds.
The analysis revealed additional insights into consumers taking out a policy for the first time. Only 6% were aged 18 to 24 years – perceived to be the riskiest consumers – while the greatest portion of these consumers (36%) were aged 25 to 35 years, followed by 36 to 45 year olds, who took out 25% of new policies. It’s clear, then, that consumers aged 25 to 45 present the greatest opportunity for insurers.
In overlaying loyalty data with these findings, it emerged that only 1% of 18 to 24 year olds shopped around for a better deal once they were granted cover, while less than a quarter (24%) of 25 to 35 year olds shopped around. However, consumers aged 36 to 45 showed the greatest propensity to shop around for a better deal, with 29% taking on that challenge.
The myth is officially busted: opportunities for growth lie well beyond young consumers who have only just reached eligibility to apply for their own short-term insurance policies.
“While the short-term insurance market is perhaps not growing at the rate that many insurers would like, our analysis shows that it’s far from stagnant. Clear segmentation along with careful risk management and profitability assessments can help providers acquire lower-risk, higher-value customers across diverse groups of potential customers,” Fischer said. “While price remains a significant driver among consumers, other variables continue to play a meaningful role in building customer loyalty.”
Men’s Drinking Harms Women and Children, and the Impact Is Worst in Poorer Countries
Governments across the world must look at alcohol and its related harms through the eyes of women and children who are mostly affected.
Calls for Nestlé to Remove Sugar From Baby Foods
Swiss investigative outlet claims Nestlé is misrepresenting sugar content
The City’s Failed Strategies Leave Women and Families in Danger
The past week’s violence has once again torn through our communities, leaving women, children, and families devastated.
The post THE CITY’S FAILED STRATEGIES LEAVE WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN DANGER appeared first on For Good.
Arts Festivals Call For Clarity on Funding
Long-standing arts festivals that provide thousands of jobs have received no funds this year from the arts and culture department