NEWS, MEDIA RELEASES
& BLOG INSIGHTS

News
Our Ark welcomes 100th Member!
Discretionary mutual Our Ark has signed up its 100th member three years after its launch in December 2020, and now protects about $2.5 billion of assets across the country.
Insurance News
February 20, 2024
Article
Tools, information and apps to help you prepare for weather & natural perils events
A list of useful articles and key resources to assist with readiness planning for weather and other peril related events.
Our Ark Mutual
December 15, 2023
News
Our Ark Mutual launches cyclone offering
Discretionary mutual Our Ark has started offering cyclone insurance to its members, the Picnic Labs-operated risk protection business announced today. Our Ark Cyclone Insurance covers loss or damage arising from an eligible cyclone event to a member’s buildings and/or contents, or consequential loss at the insured addresses, caused by wind, rain, rainwater or rainwater runoff; flood; and storm surge.
Insurance News
December 5, 2023
News
The Feeling's Mutual
There’s nothing new about mutual risk protection. It dates back centuries, and is built on a principle as old as time: community co-operation.An International Co-operative and Mutual Insurance Federation report from earlier this year states.By market share, Australia was the 13th-fastest-growing market, with mutuals’ share growing 7.7 percentage points over the 10 years from 2011.
Insurance News
October 16, 2023
Insight
Are mutuals on the comeback trail?
What can they do that traditional insurers can't? Melina Morrison, CEO of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM) talk to Insurance Business about the role DMFs and the innovative role they play in the market.
Insurance Business
October 12, 2023
News
Expanding Our Ark mutual says it offers ‘a different way’
Discretionary mutual Our Ark says it has grown to more than 70 members since launching three years ago, is now protecting almost $2 billion of property, and is offering an alternative for brokers.
Insurance News
September 25, 2023
Insight
Professional Miscellaneous Financial Risk Broker training now available
Professional training on miscellaneous financial risk products for brokers is now available!
Financial Education
August 30, 2023
News
DMFs are not about hard markets
Often, Discretionary Mutual Funds (DMFs) have been considered an alternative to insurance only in times of hard markets. Yet, Our Ark Mutual demonstrates that a DMF provides a much-needed alternative in key markets.
NIBA
August 1, 2023
Insight
Mutuals help industries to actively manage risk in a tough market
Diverse sectors and businesses including carshare, churches and McDonald’s are turning to discretionary mutual funds to find creative ways to manage risks and tailor their protection.
ANZIFF
July 25, 2023
Article
What does it mean to be a Member of a Mutual?
Mutuals have members who are both customers and owners. A Mutual is a business structure that places customers at its heart. While many organisations claim to put customers at the centre of everything they do, with a mutual it’s the legal structure of the organisation.
Our Ark Mutual
June 11, 2023
News
Mutual builder secures NSW start-up grant
“It’s fantastic to have the NSW Government support Picnic and Our Ark,” Picnic Labs CEO Charles Pollack said. “We want community-focused organisations to find the right protection at a fair price.
Insurance News
December 17, 2021
Media Release
Picnic secures NSW MVP Government grant to help protect local communities from the rising costs of insurance
Picnic has secured a grant from the New South Wales Government to support its mission to establish and operate customer-owned organisations that provide alternative insurance products. Picnic was awarded the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) grant worth AUD$25,000 for its unique product offering and industry expertise. The grant will help the growth of its first customer-owned organisation, Our Ark.
Our Ark Mutual
December 17, 2021
News
3 tips to keep your childcare and early learning centre safe during storm season
Before a storm is even forecast there are a range of actions that can be taken to ensure that your childcare service and its team are ready.
The Sector
November 9, 2021
News
Innovative community focused provider of insurance alternative aims to drive down costs for ECEC sector
A newly launched company has set its sights on providing the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector with an alternative to insurance that not only takes into account the specific characteristics of ECEC but also aims to do so at a reasonable cost relative to others currently active in the sector.
The Sector
September 7, 2021
Article
Our Ark named a Finalist in the 2021 Finder Innovation Awards
Our Ark has been named a finalist as a Social Impact Innovator in the 2021 Finder Innovation Awards.
Our Ark Mutual
August 3, 2021
Article
What’s a Discretionary Mutual Fund?
Our Ark is a Discretionary Mutual fund that provides an alternative to insurance for organisations that build and connect communities.
Our Ark Mutual
August 2, 2021
Media Release
Our Ark Mutual Appoints Rowan Ward as Chair
TOWNSVILLE: 01 March 2021 – Our Ark, a Discretionary Mutual, provides risk protection to community-focused organisations such as childcare centres, aged care providers, schools, charities, not for profits, community groups and religious organisations. Our Ark, launched in December 2020, is the first Mutual launched by Picnic Labs. Rowan Ward been appointed Chair of Our Ark Mutual.
Our Ark Mutual
March 1, 2021
News
Church places insurance in the hands of God
“Faced with a renewal cost that went from $500,000 to $2.5m in just a year, the diocese joined a rush of businesses and organisations around the world that have moved to self- insure. The church’s insurance fund, set up on a mutual model, launched with cover for more than $120m worth of assets.”
The Australian
January 12, 2021
News
Picnic secures NSW Government MVP grant to help protect local communities from the rising costs of insurance
“It’s fantastic to have the NSW Government support Our Ark,” said Charles Pollack (pictured), CEO at Our Ark.
Australian Fintech
December 17, 2021
News
Unpacking an alternative to insurance in an ECEC context – a community driven approach
As an ECEC business owner, operator or landlord, the primary objective of any form of protection is to ensure that unexpected losses incurred during day-to-day operations, or due to an unexpected event, can be endured.
The Sector
October 5, 2021
News
Insurance mutual cuts premiums for North Queensland church
Having members across Australia could also spread the risk, he said. Stay informed. Here are all the ways you can find news from the Townsville ...
The Townsville Bulletin
August 28, 2021
News
Mutual admiration
Businesses and groups battling insurance market problems may drive a renaissance in an alternative risk-sharing solution. By Wendy Pugh
Insurance News
June 23, 2021
News
Picnic Labs, Our Ark make key appointments
Picnic Labs, an insurtech that provides support for mutuals, has appointed Chris Overs as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer and Simone Collins as Senior Actuary.
Insurance News
March 8, 2021
News
Did your insurance premium rise? Are you looking for an insurance alternative?
Our Ark exists to enable community-focused organisations to join together and define their own way to protect themselves – creating a true alternative to insurance.
Probono Australia
February 18, 2021
News
Inspire Insurtech Interviews: Picnic
The Inspire Insurtech Interview’ series is designed to inspire fellow insurtechs. We want to share who they are, what they do, and what we can expect from them in the future. This month we are talking to Charles Pollack, Chief Executive Officer of Picnic. Enjoy!
Insurtech Australia
February 14, 2021
News
Community Focused Industrial Special Risk Protection Launches
Our Ark Mutual has launched to offer an alternative to insurance to community focused organisations.
NIBA
February 1, 2021

Our Ark acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, live, and gather as employees, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

About
About Our ArkTerms of usePrivacy policy
NAVIGATE TO
ProductsFAQFor BrokersQuote
Learn more
What's a Discretionary Mutual?Governance & ManagementHow to make a claimContact us
Our Ark Mutual on LinkedIn
Hello@OurArk.com.au
1300 687 275
GENERAL ADVICE WARNING
Our Ark Mutual Limited ('Mutual') is managed by Our Ark Management Pty Ltd ACN 619 600 118 ('Manager') an Authorised Representative (AR No: 1302936) of Picnic Licensing Pty Ltd (AFSL No: 532540).

All products are distributed to the Mutual's members by Picnic Distribution Pty Ltd ACN 652 925 294 (AR No: 1300250) (‘Distributor’).  Any advice provided about any of Our Ark Mutual’s products is of a general nature only.

It does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Service Guide to see if the product is right for you.
‍
Copyright © 2024 Our Ark Mutual