Risk advisers remain positive about the the year ahead despite facing a number of challenges in the past 12 months, according to a Zurich Financial Services Australia survey.
The survey, conducted by Beaton Research and Consulting on behalf of Zurich's life and investments business, found financial advisers active in the Australian life risk market were 'moderately positive' about the outlook for themselves and their practice.
The overall sentiment score for December 2011 was calculated as 4.5 out of seven, which equates to a sentiment of 'moderately positive'.
Commenting on the findings, Beaton Research and Consulting account director Jelena Dodic said: "Despite the overall negative sentiment in terms of the current regulatory environment, advisers are looking beyond the short term and remain positive about the long-term viability of their practice."
Further analysis of the results also found advisers active in the life risk market were marginally more optimistic than those who were not.
It also found South Australian and Victorian advisers were more optimistic than their peers in other states.
Zurich Australia life and investments chief executive Colin Morgan said the index was the first to specifically examine the sentiment of advisers writing life risk insurance.
"It's reassuring to know that with our underinsurance problem still so large, risk advisers remain enthusiastic and motivated to keep providing quality advice and insurance protection to Australian families," Morgan said.
The index surveyed more than 300 advisers actively writing life risk insurance.
Respondents were asked to indicate their sentiment across five key areas, using a seven-point scale ranging from 'extremely negative' to 'extremely positive'.
The five areas examined were consumer demand for advised life insurance; the adviser's current sales volume; the regulatory environment; likely sales volume for next quarter; and the long-term viability of their practice.
