Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
FCA set to squeeze the insurance industry to ‘prove worth’
The Financial Conduct Authority is set to squeeze the insurance industry over the next 18 months, to prove to the next government it is a watchdog worth keeping.
Gallagher expands SME & PL ops; SRG launches sports and media division; RSA appoints commercial CUO
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Insurers should stop boasting about paying 99% of claims
Insurers need to stop advertising themselves as being a panacea and be honest with customers if the industry is to be trusted, according to James Daley, managing director of Fairer Finance.
Time to stop treating travel insurance customers like idiots
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues treating travel insurance customers fairly doesn’t mean treating them like an idiot only capable of ticking a box.
Financial Services and Markets Act: A victory against the regulator?
The Financial Services and Markets Bill was given Royal Assent on 29 June 2023, but is it a victory for the insurance industry – or a missed opportunity?
Big Interview: Biba’s Graeme Trudgill
Graeme Trudgill, CEO of the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, sprints across the Square Mile to share his plans on what more the body can do for members.
Why motor insurers undervalue replacing damaged vehicles
With the FCA ordering Direct Line to review motor loss claims, Jeff Winn, founder of Winn Group, explains why some insurers are underestimating the cost of replacing damaged vehicles.
Bank to gain power to intercede as insurers collapse
The UK government has announced plans to establish a dedicated regime to deal with the failure of insurance companies.
View from the top: GRP’s Duncan Carter on cooling down a political hot potato
Duncan Carter, CEO of retail at Global Risk Partners, warns that a ban on paying commission to property-managing agents could backfire for leaseholders.
FCA Consumer Duty deadline is ‘end of the beginning’
General insurers have been warned today’s Consumer Duty deadline is just “the end of the beginning” as work now needs to start on four extra strands of activity.
Regulators unveil ‘clearer’ complaints procedure
The Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England have finalised a revised scheme for complaints about regulators.
Claims management companies face personal injury exile
Financial Conduct Authority figures reveal the number of claims management companies that cover personal injury has dramatically dropped to just 30.
Wildlife populations plummet 70% as IFOA publishes biodiversity policy
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has published its Biodiversity and Nature-Related Risks policy as biodiversity loss becomes a top global concern.
Which? warns insurers are falling short of Consumer Duty standards
As the deadline for the Consumer Duty edges closer, a Which? survey has highlighted shortcomings in how insurers explain rejected claims.
Insurance lacks a ‘champion’ to lead best practice on Consumer Duty
With only a few days to go until Consumer Duty comes into force, firms are still struggling to prepare for the regulatory changes and the hurdles ahead, industry leaders explain.
FCA extends latest product governance survey deadline
Having originally given brokers only a few weeks to send back a “demanding” survey into product governance and distribution practices, Post can reveal the FCA has extended its deadline from 11 August to 1 September.
Trade Voice: Biba’s David Sparkes on why ‘duty’ is an interesting word
David Sparkes, head of compliance and training at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association, asks whether the regulator is fulfilling its duty ahead of the looming Consumer Duty deadline.
Big Interview: Sicsic Advisory’s Michael Sicsic
With the Consumer Duty deadline looming, Michael Sicsic, former head of supervision for the UK general insurance retail sector at the Financial Conduct Authority, considers whether the industry is ready for the new regulation.
Why insurers relying purely on post may not be Consumer Duty compliant
As the Consumer Duty deadline fast approaches, Phil Shelley, chair of regtech company docStribute and a former Goldman Sachs banker, explains why insurers relying on paper communications will struggle to fully comply with the new rules.
FCA to make Digital Sandbox permanently available for insurers
Following two successful pilots, the Financial Conduct Authority will make its Digital Sandbox available permanently for firms in the insurance sector from 1 August 2023.
FCA ramps up fair value assessment checks
The Financial Conduct Authority has ordered firms to fill out an extensive survey on how they keep tabs on whether they offer value for money to customers.
Biba insists regulators cannot mark their own homework
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association has called for greater external scrutiny of the cost benefit analyses produced by regulators when they introduce new rules for the sector.
Government grills FCA on broker commission
Sheldon Mills, executive director for consumers and competition at the Financial Conduct Authority, conceded the regulator needs to “be tougher on brokers” after Dame Angela Eagle slammed them for “ripping off leaseholders”.
BoE braces insurers to handle more cash-strapped customers
The Bank of England has warned higher interest rates increasing debt-servicing costs will result in general insurers having to handle a growing number of people financially squeezed in the coming months.