CH. 9 Flashcards
compulsory insurance and statutary regulations
In the UK, the government acts as an insurer, by providing certain benefits for individuals, what benefits are these
The benefits include, welfare benefits, unemployment benefits and retirement benefts
What are the compulsory insurance for Private Individuals in the UK
- Motor Insurance
2. Public Liability in respect of ownership of dangerous animal or dangerous dogs
What are the compulsory insurance for Professions and businesses in the UK
- Motor Insurance
- Employer Liability if company has employees
- Public Liability for specific trades and professions
- Professional Indemnity for solicitors and other professionals including insurance intermediaries
- Marine Pollution Liability is compulsory for operators of nuclear reactors
What are the main reasons why certain forms of insurance are compulsory in particular cases
- To provide funds for compensation- main objective is to provide means by which an injured or suffering loss, through someone else’s fault may receive compensation
- In response to national concern
What did the Employers Liability Act of 1969 comprise of
It made is compulsory for employers in the Great Britain to effect Employer’s Liability Insurance. This insures them against their liability to pay compensation to employees who sustain bodily injury or disease arising out of and in the course of their employment.
Their some exceptions including family members and gov’t agencies. Minimum required limit of 5Million Pounds, Insurance market provides 10 million as standard
What did the EMployer’s Liability Regulation 2008 change
It changed and removed the requirement for employers to retain and display certificates for a specified period at each place of work
What does the road traffic act 1988 state
It stipulates that it is illegal to cause or permit the use of vehicle on any other public place unless an insurance policy is in force, covering third party damage and third party bodily injury or death
Who has an influence in the area of compulsory motor insurance in the U.K
The European Union
Give an example of an subsequent changes to the UK Law that have been prompted by the EU directives
Compulsory third party property damage cover and requirement to be able to trace the insurer of a vehicle from its registration plate
How many EU motor insurance derivatives were brought into the UK law between 1973 and 2007
Five EU motor insurance derivatives consolidated by the Codified Motor derivatives introduced in 2009
what amendment did the deregulation act 2015 make for the Road Traffic Act
The following are the amendments;
- insurance certificate must be delivered to the policy holders , but delivery will no longer require for the policy to be effective
- Where policy is cancelled mid-term, the policyholder is no longer required to return the certificate or make a statuary declaration or any statement acknowledging policy has ceased to have effect( not doing so is not an offense)
- Insurers are relived of the burden of requesting policyholders to surrender certificates for the cancelled policies as a prerequisite of avoiding contractual liability
What is a valid evidence of Road Traffic Act of 1988 for motor insurance
The certificate of motor insurance
When did the Deregulation Act 2015, come into effect
It came into effect on the 30th June 2015
what is the key role of the Motor Insurer’s Role
There key role is handling motor insurance claims for compulsory motor insurance
which is one of the provision of the Riding Establishment Act 1970
It stated that all proprietors of riding establishment must have public liability Insurance
For Liability insurance against wild animals and dangerous dogs, which act don’t include the nature and scope of this insurance
- The Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976
2. The Dangerous Dogs act of 1991
Generally why are insurers not willing to issue policy that would cover liability arising out of ownership of a wild animal or dangerous dogs
This is because if they did so then it would amount to selection among insurers. Instead the insurer would probably be prepared to insure the risk as an extension to another insurance policy held by the insured. such policies include household policy where it would be covered in the public liability section/policy.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
This insurance is compulsory for solicitors/accountants, insurance intermediaries who are authorized by the FCA
Solicitors (Amendment) Act of 1974
This states that Professional Indemnity Insurance is compulsory for solicitors. This insurance indemnifies solicitors against claims of financial loss suffered by client as a result of professional negligence from the solicitor
Are Appointed Representatives and Introducer appointed representatives required to have Professional Indemnity Insurance
no, they are not required, since everything they do is undertaken for an insurer or an intermediary that is responsible for their action. However Insurance intermediaries authorized by the FCA must have PI insurance
What is the current minimum limit for PI insurance for insurance intermediaries
The current limit is 1 million pound to 1.5 million pound, although all firms should consider their potential liability and purchase sufficient insurance cover
What are the reasons PI insurance has grown over the years in London
- the rising cost of legal services
- adverse judicial decisions
- retrospective legislation which may move the goalposts ti the determinant of insurers
The Unfair Term in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999(UTCCRS) consisted of
These regulations applied, with certain exception, to contracts between a consumer and supplier
The Consumer Right Act 2015
Consolidates and clarifies existing consumer legislation on unfair contract terms, remove conflicts overlaps between UTCCRs and unfair contract terms act 1997.
This provision covers both Consumer contract and consumer notices
What does the Consumer Right Act 2015 ensure
This Act ensures that terms used in contracts and notices will only be binding upon the consumer if they are fair.
How does the Consumer Right Act 2015 define Unfair terms
They define them as those that put the consumer at a disadvantage, by limiting the consumers right or disproportionately increasing their obligation as compared with traders rights and obligation
How does Consumer Right Act 2015 assist with court cases
It sets out factors a court should take into account when determining whether a term is fair
What does the assessment fairness test take into account
It takes into account nature of the subject matter, specific circumstances existing when the terms were agreed, and other terms in the contract
When developing the
Consumer Right Act, what did the gov’t take into account
The Gov’t took into account the definitions and measures contained within the EU directives on Consumer Right
When is a term considered transparent
If it is expressed in a plain and intelligible language and in the case of written term is legible
When is a term considered prominent
If it is bought to the consumer’s attention in such a way than a in average consumer would be aware of the term.
An average consumer is one who is reasonably well-informed, observant and circumspect
Grey List
List of terms that are presumed to be unfair
Which key term is included in the grey list of insurance, which is regarded as unfair
This is a term which has the object of effect of excluding or hindering the consumers right to take legal actions or exercise any other legal remedy
What are the new addition to the grey list of terms, considered to be unfair
- dispropotionetly high charges where the consumer decides to cancel the contract
- Terms enabling the trader to determine the characteristic of the subject matter of the contract after the conclusion of the contract
- Terms allowing the trader to determine the price after the consumer is bound by the agreement
Whats another key term included in the grey list
The object or the effect of enabling the trader to alter the terms of the contract unilaterally without a valid reason unless;
- the trader is required to inform the consumer of the alteration at the earliest opportunity
- The consumer is free to dissolve the contract immediately
If the insurer has been found to use policies containing unfair terms or has been found to breach common law, who will be put incharge
The Competitor and Market authority (CMA) or the FCA may require an undertaking to make ammend. They may bring injuctive to prevent actions to prevent further use of the terms
Which enhanced measures does the Consumer Right Act
- Redress measures such as
i. compensatory payment to customers suffering as a result of the use of unfair terms
ii. enabling consumers to terminate contract
iii. where consumer is not identified, measures taken for collective interest of consumer
privity of contract
this concept means that a person can only enforce a contract if they are a a party to it
what did the Contracts (Rights of Third Party Risghts) Act 1999 reform
This rule and sets out the circumstances in which a third party will have a right to enforce a term of the contract
Third Party (Right against Insurers) Act of 1930
This Act confers rights on third party against insurer in the event of an insured being insolvent
what were the disadvantages/drawbacks of the Third Party(Rights against insurer) Act 1930
The drawbacks where
- The process is complex,costly and time consuming
- This process involved requiring an application to be made to court to restore a dissolve insured company to the register of companies in order to establish liability and bring a claim against it
Third Party(Rights Against Insurer)Act 2010
This Act Sets out to protect insurance proceeds from the effect of insolvency
What does Third Party(Rights Against Insurer)Act 2010 permit
The Act is less time consuming and complex, as it permits third party to bring a claim directly to the insurer, without r
How has the Third Party (Rights against Insurers ) Act 2010 improved compared to the Act 1930
1.Third party no longer needs to having to restore the insolvent company to the register
2.It prevents circumstances where the insurance monies are paid out to the insolvent insured company and then go straight to the creditors (due to insolvency)rather than being paid to the intended beneficiaries of an insurance policy
Prior to the 2010 Act protection offered by insurance contract was often undermined
Inorder for the Third Party(Rights against insurer)Act 2010 to apply insured must
1.Must be insolvent
2.Must incur a liability to a third party for which they have insurance
This 2010 Act gives claimants more rights of determining whether the company has insurance before issuing a claim
Due to the fast changing solvency legislation, what happened to the Third Party(Rights against Insurers) Act 2010
The 2010 Act was defective and not brought into force
which Act replacedThird Party(Rights against Insurers) Act 2010 the
The insurance Act of 2015(IA 2015), this act includes amendment of the Third Party(Rights against Insurers) Act 2010.
IA 2015 aimed at rectifying failures to include certain insolvency circumstances in the original of the 2010 ACT
Other amendments made dealt with long tail liabilities such as cancer , that go up to 50 years
When was the Insurance Act 2015 bought into effect
1st August 2016
The EU Gender Derivatice was transposed by the UK law by;
The Equality Act 2010( Amendment) Regulations 2012
The EU Gender Derivative states that
By the 21st December of 2012, it was agreed that insurers cannot use gender as a factor in pricing or benefits
what is the test-achats ruling
The judgment ruled that the insurance exemption in the Gender Derivative,which allowed insurers to take sex into account when calculating premiums and benefits went against the principal of equal treatment between men and women
what ares some of the examples of gender related- insurance practices which are allowed under the derivative and are not affected by the Test-Achats ruling
- Medical tests are different for men and women, different tests are used for insurance screening, e.g prostate for men, mammograms for women
- Collecting information on gender status, as questions on gender specified disease, e.g women have a history of breast cancer
what does the Enterprise Act 2016 state
This Act states that policyholders has a legal right to claim damages in the event of late payment.
Passed in 4h May 2016
The Enterprise Act 2016 is an amendment to which act
This Act made an amendment to The Insurance Act 2015, where this amendment applies to every (re)insurance policy placed or renewed after 4th may 2017.
What other amendments did the Enterprise Act 2016 make on the IA2015
This Act also added an implied term in every contract of insurance that insurer must pay any sums due to their insured within a reasonable time
What should be taken into account when assessing the reasonable time for insurer to make claim payment
- The type of Insurance
- The size and complexity of the claim
- factors outside the insurers control
- Compliance with relevant statutory or regulatory rules or guidance
Which is one key safeguard that has been built to avoid spurious claims
The loss has to be foreseeable insurer would be able to foresee that a delay in paying for a broken machine in a busy factory would leas to production losses
Insurance Premium Tax
This is levied by the gov’t on general insurance premium in the UK .
What are the two rates of insurance premium tax
- A standard 12% rate
2. A higher rate of 20% for travel,domestic and electrical appliances and some vehocles
Which insurances a re exempt from insurance premium tax (IPT)
- Insurance and re insurance of Ships , aircraft and good-in-transit(internationally
- Long-term insurance
Who collects the insurance premium tax(IPT)
IPT is collected by insurers together with the policy premium. Insurers are required to account to the HM revenue& customs quarterly for the tax that is due
Before 2005 regulations,the general insurance industry largely relied on voluntary codes of practice issued by a range of trade bodies such as
- Association of British Insurers
2. the voluntary regulatory body General Insurance Standard s Council(GISC)
The General Insurance Standards Council rules included which codes
It included private customer code and Commercial Customer code.
Who were some of the members of the General Insurance Standards council
Members included Insurers, Lloyd Brokers and all types of intermediaries, it was a volunteer regulator, membership was not compulsory
in 2005 the market moved form a voluntary to statutory regulation under which authority
Under the Financial Service Authority(FSA)
What does the Financial Services and Market Act 2000 (FSMA)sets out
This act sets out in detail the way in which FSA had to carry out its function
The Financial Services and Market Act 2000 gave the FSA regulatory control over
- General Insurance Comapnies
- Intermediaries
- Lloyd
In April 2013 twin peaks approach to regulation was introduced under the provision of
Financial Service Act 2012
When was the FSA disbanded
in 1st April 2013 was disbanded and split into three new bodies
Which are the three new bodies responsible for regulating financial services, that came form the Financial Service Authority
1.financial Policy Committee(FPC)
2,Prudential Regulation Act
3. Financial Conduct Authority(FCA)
Financial Policy Committee
This is a committee within the Bank of England. They are responsible for watching for emerging risks to the financial system as a whole and provide strategic direction for the entire regulatory regime
What is the responsibility of the Prudential Regulation Authority(PRA)
They are responsible for the stability and resolvability of systematically important financial institutions, such as banks, insurers and building societies
It is within Bank of England
What approach does the PRA use
It uses the judgement-based approach, to supervision focusing on the external environment, business risk, management and governance, risk management and control and capital and adequacy
What are the responsibility of the Financial Conduct Authority
This is a separate independent regulator responsible for conduct of business and market issues for all firms including insurers, and prudential regulation of small firms(e.g insurance brokerage and financial advisory firms)
How will the FCA take action early to avoid consumer detriment
The FCA will use thematic review and market wide analysis so as to identify potential problem in areas like financial incentives.They will also review the product life cycle from design to distribution, with power to ban products if necessary
The Bank of England and Financial Service ACT 2016
This modified the Financial service Act of 2012.It put the Bank of England at the heart of the UK financial stability by strenghtenin the bank’s governance and ability to operate more effectively as One Bank
What did the ACT 2016 also change for the PRA
The PRA became part of the Bank, ending its subsidiary status and a new PRudential Regulation Committee(PRC)
Which other bank committee operate with the PRC
- Monetary Policy Committee(MPC)- sets interest rate
2. Financial Policy Committe(FPDC)
The PRA is responsible for which institutions
The PRA regulates institutions which accepts deposits and which accepts insurance contracts. They authorise and supervise all banks,building societies, credit unions, general insurance and life assurers
Under the Financial Service ACT 2012, what is he PRA primary objective and two secondary objective
The PRA primary objective is
1.To provide safety and soundness for PRA regulated person
The Secondary Objectives are;
1.To ensure PRA regulated persons to work in a way to avoid adverse on the stability of the UK financial system.
2.Minimizing the adverse effect that the failure of a PRA regulated person could be expected to have on the stability of UK financial system
Who recommended creation of new secondary competiton objective for the PRA in 2013
Parilamentary Commission on Banking Standards(PCBS), led to an amendment in the Financial Services Act 2013(banking reform)
What is the PRA secondary competition objective
The PRA’s requirement to facilitate competition is subordinate to its general objective
What is the PRA insurance objective
contributing to the securing of an appropriate degree of protection for those who are or may become policyholders
What are the Threshold Conditions
The minimum requirement a firm must meet in order to be allowed to carry out regulated activities
What are the Threshold condition for PRA
- a firms head office, especially its mind and management, are in the UK
- a firm’s business to be conducted in a prudent manner, and firms maintains appropriate financial and non-financial resources
- a firm should be fit, proper and appropriately staffed
- A firm and its group sto be capable of being effectively supervised
The PRA Judgement led approach focuses on
It focuses on forward-looking approach including
1.How a firm would be resolved if it were to fail
2.The impact this would have on the system as a whole
3.The use of the new public fund
They aim to pre-empt the risk before they crystallise
HOw does the PRA risk assessment framework operate
This assessment operates in a way that reflects PRA additional objective to protect policyholder as well as the financial system
What are the three elements of the risk assessment framework
- The potential impact on the policyholders and the financial system of a firm coming under stress of failing
- How the macroeconomic and business risk context in which the firm operates might affect the viability (working successfully)of the business model\
- Mitigating factors including risk management, governance and financial position
The intensity with which firms are supervised depends on
It depends on the level of riskiness related to the three elements captured in the risk assessment framework
Each firm faces at least baseline level of monitoring which involves
- ensuring compliance with prudential standards of capital
- Liquidity,asset valuation,provisioning and reserving
- at least an annual review of risk posed by firm or sector of the PRA objectives
- Assessing a firm’s planned recovery actions and how it might exit the market
The proactive intervention framework
provides judgement about proximity to failure within a firm
how many clearly demarcated PIF stages are there
There are five stages
which culture does the PRA expect the insurers and insurance company
A culture that supports prudential management not only from the senior staff but also all the individuals working in an insurance company
What does the PRA focus on, when making judgement about a firm
They focus on whether boards and management clearly understand the circumstances in which insurer’s solvency and viability come into question, whether accepted theories are challenged,whether action is taken to address the risk on a timely basis
Who is the lead regulator for Lloyd’s as a whole
The PRA
What is the FCA responsibility for Lloyd
The FCA takes responsibility for certain conduct of business issues
How are the society of Lloyd’s and Managing agents regulated
They are dual-regulated firms by the PRA and FCA.
Lloyd Brokers are FCA regulated firms
What is the FCA strategic overarching objective
To protect and enhance confidence the UK financial system
What are the three operational objective
- Consumer Protection-securing an appropriate degree of protection for consumers
- Integrity- protecting and enhancing integrity of the UK financial system
- Competition-promoting effective competition in the interest of consumers in the market for regulated financial services and services provided by a recognized investment exchange
How is the FCA more proactive than the FSA
It intervenes at an early stage so as to pre empt and prevent widespread harm to consumers
Previously only the office of fair trading could review super complaints from consumer groups,highlighting problems in a particular market
However now the FCA is able to review and react to this detailed super complaints by consumer groups.
Competition and Markets Authority aim
It aims to promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers both within and outside the UK.
It supersedes and brings together the function of the competition commission and the office of fair trade (OFT)
How did the FCA categories the risks in the past
The categorized there risk in the form of C1 (larger banking and insurance groups with large number of customers) to C4 (smaller firms usually intermediaries)
How are firms categorized by the FCA now
They are categorized as either Fixed portfolio or flexible portfolio
What are fixed portfolio firms
These are firms small in number include large insurers and insurance brokers.
They have a named FCA supervisor in frequent contact with them
What type of supervision are flexible portfolio firms subject to
The supervision they are subject to is
Pillar 2-Event Driven Reactive supervision
Pillar 3 -Thematic issues and product supervision
What type of supervision are fixed portfolio firms subject to
They are subject to a programme of firm or group specific supervision(Pillar 1)
Why did the FCA make changes in the categorizing of risks
In order to make a better use of its resources and concentrate on firms likely to have a large impact, if things go wrong
What are the three pillars of risk framework in the FCA
- Firm Systematic framework(FSF)
- Event-Driven Work
- Issues and Products
Firm systematic framework
This asses how a firm conduct’s it’s risk.It entails business model and strategy analysis embedding of fair treatment of customers