ICOB 4.1 Application and purpose

1. (1)

   The definition of insurance intermediary includes an insurer when the insurer is carrying on insurance mediation activities, for example when, through its sales force, it advises on or arranges its own non-investment insurance contracts or those of another insurer.

2. (2)

   For the limited application of this chapter to authorised professional firms in respect of their non-mainstream regulated activities, see ICOB 1.2.10 R(3) and ICOB 1.2.10 R(4).

When a contract of insurance is renewed, the parties enter into a new contract of insurance, even if the terms and conditions of the new contract are identical to the old one. ICOB 4 therefore applies to the renewed contract of insurance as it would to the original contract of insurance, unless stated otherwise in ICOB 4.2.20 R.

1. (1)

   This chapter amplifies Principle 6 (Customer's interests), Principle 7 (Communications with clients) and Principle 9 (Customers: relationships of trust). Principle 6 requires a firm to pay due regard to the interests of its customers and treat them fairly. Principle 7 requires a firm to pay due regard to the information needs of its clients and communicate information to them in a way which is clear, fair and not misleading. Principle 9 requires a firm to take reasonable care to ensure the suitability of its advice.

2. (2)

   This chapter also implements articles 12 and 13 of the Insurance Mediation Directive for non-investment insurance contracts (which means that, in respect of communications by telephone, it follows the approach in article 3 of the Distance Marketing Directive).

3. (3)

   This chapter also implements article 9 of the DMD for non-investment insurance contracts concluded by distance means.

The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that:

1. (1)

   customers are adequately informed about the nature of the service that they have received from an insurance intermediary in relation to non-investment insurance contracts. In particular, insurance intermediaries need to make clear to customers the scope and type of the products and insurance undertakings on which their service is based;

2. (2)

   where a personal recommendation is made it is suitable for a customer's demands and needs. The nature of the steps an insurance intermediary will need to take to ensure that the customer receives a personal recommendation that is suitable will vary depending on the demands and needs of the customer, the type of non-investment insurance contract being offered, and the type of customer (retail customer or commercial customer);

3. (3)

   customers receive a statement of their demands and needs and the reasons for any personal recommendation made by an insurance intermediary;

4. (4)

   the charges that an insurance intermediary imposes on a retail customer are not excessive;

5. (5)

   if requested by a commercial customer, the insurance intermediary discloses its commission; and

6. (6)

   retail customers are not charged for non-investment insurance contracts concluded by distance means without their prior consent.