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CII publishes Consumer Duty good practice guide for Insurers

Publication date:

16 November 2022

Last updated:

18 December 2023

Author(s):

Chartered Insurance Institute

In support of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) flagship regulatory reform: the Consumer Duty, the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has created a good practice guide for Insurance firms.

The Consumer Duty began with a campaign by the Financial Services Consumer Panel to create a statutory ‘duty of care’ in January 2017.

Marking a crossroads in the way insurance regulation works in the UK, the Consumer Duty lists four outcomes against which firms should judge their impact on consumers.

They are:

  • Price and value
  • Consumer understanding
  • Products and services – making sure that products are designed properly for their target market
  • Consumer support – for example, making sure that customers making a claim don’t face unnecessary barriers

Dr Matthew Connell, director of policy and public affairs at the CII said, "One thing that makes insurers nervous about outcomes-based regulation is the thought that it could be interpreted differently over time. What is normal and acceptable now might look very different in ten or fifteen years’ time: we only have to remember that cars used to be built with no rear seat belts and passengers were allowed to smoke on the Underground to see how much standards can change in the course of a career.

"As a result, a lot of the debate around the Consumer Duty has focussed on who is liable if outcomes are not met.

"As people who understand financial services better than anyone else, we should be aware of situations where people frequently misunderstand products or underestimate risks, and work hard to help them avoid harm, through better communications, better products or more response service. Firms’ senior managers should be curious about the outcomes that consumers are experiencing, and be able to show that they have thought about any problems and are genuinely looking for solutions.

"Our good practice guide outlines the significant practical benefits to be gained by firms who explore their customers’ needs from different perspectives."

Download the guide

ENDS

This document is believed to be accurate but is not intended as a basis of knowledge upon which advice can be given. Neither the author (personal or corporate), the CII group, local institute or Society, or any of the officers or employees of those organisations accept any responsibility for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the data or opinions included in this material. Opinions expressed are those of the author or authors and not necessarily those of the CII group, local institutes, or Societies.