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Last Updated on Insurance:
A Code of Business Conduct to ensure High Standards This paper
broadly sums up the main objectives of the draft Code of Business Conduct=
for
Insurers and Intermediaries issued for public consultation (CP 011004) by=
the
Financial Services Commission (FSC) on 8 November 2004.
The draft Code of Business Conduct sets standards of market practi= ces for insurers and insurance intermediaries in relation to the sale = of insurance contracts. The Code aims to ensure that high standards of finan= cial soundness and business conduct are adhered to by all insurers and intermediaries under the supervision of the FSC. In essence, it reflects = what the FSC considers are minimum standards of good business practice and eth= ical behaviour on behalf of its licensees.<= o:p> The draft Code’s core principles relate to the various aspec=
ts
of insurance companies’ relationship with their customers. Under the
over-arching themes of due regard to consumer interests and the fair
treatment of consumers, standards have been developed that require service
providers to act conscientiously, honestly and with diligence in handling
insurance business; to ensure that consumers are properly informed and th=
at
their claims and complaints are handled effectively. Underpinning the due diligence principle, requirements are that
businesses and sales representatives ensure that prospective policyholders
are not exposed to inappropriate risks during marketing and sales process=
es.
The Commission urges service providers to maintain the balance between th=
eir
marketing and sales strategy and providing consumers with products that
effectively match their personal circumstance. Overall, the Code takes the form of responsibility requirements for
businesses, but it also brings forth the concept of ultimate consumer res=
ponsibility.
Reckoning the needs prospective policyholders may have for advice,=
the
Code requires that such advice be fair, reliable and impartial so that the
former are not misled, whether inadvertently or otherwise, into purchasing
insurance products inappropriate to their personal requirement and financ=
ial
capability. The provision is supported by suitability requirements that require
service providers to furnish evidence as to why a product has been propos=
ed
or recommended. Their responsibility in that regard extends to the
identification of customers’ needs through a fact-finding exercise =
to
gauge the relative suitability of the product to the clients’ needs=
. Similarly, consumers have the duty to provide accurate information
about themselves. “The appropriateness of
advice prospective policyholders receive can only be based on accurate
information they provide,” says Iqbal <=
span
class=3DSpellE>Rajahbalee. The principle of full disclosure is indeed a binding responsibility
and a regulatory tool for the FSC to ensure consumer interests are adequa=
tely
safeguarded. Starting from the licensing processes that require “Principal
applicants” –that is, insurance companies – to disclose
fully their financial standing, the concept is pursued further in the Cod=
e,
which makes it a duty for service providers to ensure that prospective
policyholders are properly informed about the product they have in mind to
purchase. Compulsory information material to be handed to customers may take=
the
form of hard copy documents detailing product features, risk and reward
characteristics as well as cost implications. These would now have to
demarcate between premiums, administrative charges and commissions. Servi=
ce
providers are also required to supplement product feature documents with =
oral
explanation of the terms and legal implications of the contractual agreem=
ent
and to stress to prospective customers the possible consequences of omiss=
ions
and lies on the validity of their contractual agreement. “Providing consumers with both oral and written information =
is
no duplication of efforts,” stresses the FSC&#=
8217;s
Chief Executive. “There is an important need for policyholders to be
properly informed and this is particularly relevant to investment products
where risks are borne by the policyholder, for example investment-linked
insurance products”. “What we ask is to enable a consumer to determine whether an
insurance product is appropriate to his needs. Our emphasis on product
disclosure orally and in writing caters for the needs of the less experie=
nced
consumers or those with low levels of literacy or sophistication who, like
all other consumers, ultimately have to take responsibility for their
decisions,” states Iqbal Rajahbalee,
adding: “That’s also why we require that service providers ma=
ke
no attempt to influence the decisions of customers although they may assi=
st
the latter in arriving at a decision by providing full information.”=
; The Code establishes fine but clear lines of demarcation between
service providers’ responsibility and consumers’ responsibili=
ty.
Despite the fact that Principals are to endorse responsibility for the
actions of agents and representatives acting on their behalf, adequately
observed disclosure provisions and suitability requirements could provide=
the
insurer with a safe harbour in the event of a dispute. “The informed
customer holds responsibility for his choice and cannot claim ignorance in
the event of a dispute,” says the FSC’s<=
/span>
Chief Executive However, the Code puts the onus on firms to ensure that consumers =
are
educated during the sales process and made aware of their contractual
obligations of truthful disclosure. Another major issue addressed within the framework of the Code is =
the
setting up of internal complaints handling processes within firms,
incorporating standards set by the FSC. A large number of companies do not have a complaints handling syst=
em
and simply respond to complaints in an ad hoc fashion as they are
received. Where such services are offered, there is often misunderstandin=
g of
the principles that should underpin effective complaints handling which
inevitably limits its usefulness both to the client and the insurance
company. Currently, the FSC handles around 250 individual commercial compla=
ints
a year in the insurance sector alone. “This has a significant impac=
t on
our workload and resources, and creates unnecessary delays for
consumers,” insists Iqbal Rajahbalee.
“Most of these complaints relating to commercial disagreement or
consumer dissatisfaction would be better dealt with by the company without
our intervention.” The FSC wants to ensure that consumers’ legitimate problems =
are
resolved quickly and effectively through internal complaints mechanisms. =
Upon
implementation of the Code, the option to seek FSC intervention will apply
only after consumers have contacted the insurer and failed to obtain redr=
ess. Where the FSC cannot intervene and consumers feel aggrieved, they =
may
have the option in the future to take the matter to external dispute
resolution schemes or arbitration panels. This is an area which the Co=
mmission
believes businesses will do well to consider for expeditious resolutions =
of
disputes. Balancing Costs and Consumer Benefits The FSC’s Code of Business Condu=
ct
places new responsibilities on insurance professionals that could involve
additional costs. To what extend will the industry support the
Commission’s initiatives leaves expectations. “We are expecting reticence on some issues,” says the
Chief Executive of the FSC. “But I am confident that interested par=
ties
will find the wisdom to go forward. Our approach is clear and pragmatic. =
The
Code deals with essential factors of risks. We have focused on areas wher=
e we
anticipate that failures in market discipline would be detrimental to
policyholders’ interests and market confidence. I firmly believe the
costs should justify the benefits.” Consumer interests and market confidence are especially important =
in
the light of anticipated new developments and growing consumer needs for
insurance products. This sector is expected to improve its performance
against the GDP, which stood at 20.7% last year. “There is real opportunity to be grasped in the insurance
sector,” asserts Iqbal Rajahbalee.
“But risks will also be higher as insurance products get more compl=
ex.
We would like our licensees to operate to best standards of practice in t=
he
interests of consumers. Consumers who feel confident using the system will
generate more demands.” Questioned as to enforceability of the Code, the FSC’s
Chief Executive indicates that the Code “would not have the force of
law and breaches will not constitute offences. But the Code will have set
standards for assessing the quality of the insurance company” As a matter of fact, it is yet to be decided as to whether the Code
will have civil enforceability, or whether the Commission should consider
making laws or use its regulatory powers when breaches cause consumer
detriment. The issue will be thrashed out at a workshop with stakeholders,
involving both the industry and consumer organisations, which will follow=
the
end of the consultation process in January next year. The workshop will be
organised to develop practice notes to clarify the implementation of some
provisions. The finalised code will be published in the form of a handboo=
k. The Code of conduct for insurers and intermediaries is based on et=
hics
and good corporate governance. The FSC is of the expectation that senior
management will own these standards and make them part of the culture and
behaviour of their organisation “We would like senior management to incorporate customer
interests and the fair treatment of customers into their firm corporate
strategy and to implement mechanisms to maintain an oversight of the way
these principles are implemented,” asserts Iqb=
al
Rajahbalee. “Both consumers and insurance companies stand to gain from g=
ood
corporate practice. Consumers who are treated fairly and who are empowere=
d to
assess what they want may generate more demands for products. Businesses =
will
achieve long-term commercial benefits from enhanced consumer confidence. =
This
is a fact. But the impact of the Code will go wider than this in its over=
all
effect on insurance firms’ reputation and standing with their own
customers and within the wider business community”. The draft Code can be downloaded from the FSC website by clicking<=
/span> here. Consumer Publications Financial Services Commissi=
on 02 December 2004=
Designed a=
nd
Published by The Financial Services Commission © FSC |
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