EIOPA issues report on Good Supervisory Practices for distributors of insurance products

09 December 2013

The report sets out good supervisory practices in the form of high-level principles that competent authorities should apply to all distributors of insurance products.

These are supplemented by indicative examples of what a competent authority could require a distributor to demonstrate in terms of knowledge and ability, thus allowing for flexibility to adopt a proportionate approach at national level. For example, the Report promotes:

• Appropriate knowledge (e.g. about legal aspects, consumer protection requirements, tax regimes, markets and products) and ability (e.g. about risk perception, underwriting process, claims procedures) for distributors.  
• Demonstration of ethical and professional conduct at all times, for instance to consider the best interest of the consumer in circumstances connected to the contract.
• Effective communication to the consumer regarding terms and conditions of the contract, complaints-handling, risks and rewards of a strategy or product, by using clear and comprehensible language.
• Provision of suitable and/or personalised recommendations and adaptation of these to the evolving consumer situation and need.

EIOPA considers it good supervisory practice for a competent authority to ensure there is appropriate oversight of continuous professional development. 

Full report

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