Regulation
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.
How the Consumer Duty will create two kinds of insurers
While most firms are currently focused on simply getting over the line of the Consumer Duty deadline on Monday, insurance consultant Prakhar Agrawal says long-term providers should use the regulation as a springboard to digitise.
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.
Q&A: John Milliken, Defaqto
John Milliken, chief executive of Defaqto, explains how insurers are using the agency’s product database to ensure their products are Consumer Duty compliant and reveals plans for new ratings.
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.
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.
Has Solvency UK done enough to win your vote?
Editor's View: Emma Ann Hughes asks if the Prudential Regulation Authority’s Solvency UK plans are basically Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s bid to garner favour with the insurance industry ahead of a general election.
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.
Trade Voice: CII’s Matthew Connell on how the industry measures up on Consumer Duty outcomes
Dr Matthew Connell, director of policy and public affairs at the Chartered Insurance Institute, says the trade body’s outcome monitoring suggests insurers and brokers are in a good place ahead of the Consumer Duty deadline.
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.
Time to stop throwing punches with the OIC portal
Editor’s View: Scott McGee says the Official Injury Claim service needs to be improved to achieve the aim of making the personal injury claim process so simple anyone could request compensation without legal help.
Big Interview: ABI’s Mervyn Skeet
In his first big interview since being appointed director of general insurance policy at the Association of British Insurers, Mervyn Skeet speaks to Scott McGee about the reinsurance scheme for high-risk buildings and closing expectation and protection…
Insurers unsure what diversity data they can collect, legal experts say
Firms have been urged to collect diversity data on a voluntary basis to be able to make “positive action steps” towards change.
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.
How insurers can better support vulnerable customers
Tim Farmer, clinical director and co-founder of clinical regulatory technology provider Comentis, examines how insurers can ensure they meet the FCA's Consumer Duty requirements for customers in vulnerable circumstances.
Why insurers’ COOs and insurtechs need to combine forces
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes says it is time chief operating officers in the insurance industry realise holding the key to floors of servers isn’t going to save them from regulatory action.
FCA urges insurers to consider what ‘fair’ means
The Financial Conduct Authority has reminded insurers to reflect on what “fair” means going forward, after Direct Line was slammed for underpaying customers.
Three things you need to know about the PRA’s Solvency plans
Analysis: Emma Ann Hughes unpicks the devilish details in the Prudential Regulation Authority's 182-pages of proposals to throw the European Union's capital requirements for general insurers on the Brexit bonfire.
Insurers must right their wrongs for vulnerable customers, says FCA
Home and motor insurers need to put the “wrongs right” and “improve their treatment” of vulnerable customers as the cost-of-living squeeze continues.
It’s insurtech Jim, but not as we know it - Lemonade’s PRA authorisation shows intent
Content director's view: Jonathan Swift looks at Lemonade's landmark PRA authorisation and two second claim record and contemplates whether the once start-ups trek to the mainstream is entering the final frontier.