Customers not the focus of replacement business at large insurers

Media release
MR No. 2018 – 30
18 July 2018 

The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) is considering regulatory action against three large financial institutions or qualifying financial entities (QFEs) following a review of insurance replacement business practices.

The inherent risks of conflicts of interest involved in selling financial products are heightened when vertically integrated organisations both create and then sell their own products. This thematic review looked at how insurance firms identify and manage these risks through their policies and procedures when a replacement insurance policy is sold.

The FMA considers that replacing insurance policies is a high-risk transaction for customers, because of the risk of claims being declined in the future and original policy benefits being lost. Customers may never discover this, until they try to claim on the insurance.

Even where the impacts on the policy-holder are neutral, the FMA is concerned that replacement of the policy benefits those making the sale rather than the customer. Most “new” life insurance written in NZ is actually replacement insurance rather than a customer taking out insurance for the first time. 

The key findings in the report:

• Most firms had processes in place to identify when a customer was being advised to replace life insurance, showing awareness of risk associated with these transactions.  Generally, these processes seemed oriented towards reducing firms’ legal risk, rather than to identifying and mitigating risks for customers.
• Fewer than half of firms reviewed advise customers that replacing their life insurance could lead to worse cover or the potential loss of benefits. Insurers need to acknowledge that replacing insurance policies is a high-risk transaction for customers.
• Although firms use transaction-specific “replacement business forms”, these are used mainly as a risk management tool for insurers, presented at the end of the advice process, rather than being used to help and support customers in their decision-making
• None of the insurance providers reviewed have an independent process to distinguish between new and replacement business (with one exception).

Of 11 firms subject to the review, two entities’ internal polices and processes were high quality and appeared designed with better customer outcomes in mind.

Six firms have taken some steps to mitigate the risks associated with replacement business, but need to improve their practices for customers.

For three entities, the findings of the review indicate that they may not be meeting their legal obligations, and the FMA is considering regulatory action.

Liam Mason, FMA Director of Regulation said, “We are concerned that a number of firms are not recognising or treating the risks to customers in replacement insurance transactions. Processes seem to be set up to manage the risks faced by the firms, not to help customers.

Without appropriate procedures in place, QFE advisers and intermediaries are being set up to fail in complying with their obligations to exercise care, diligence and skill. It is disappointing that despite the risks to consumers, some insurance providers do not identify insurance replacement as a particular area of risk. We are now considering regulatory action where our findings suggest a firm is not meeting its legal obligations.”

The report focused on 11 QFEs or large firms selling life insurance in New Zealand. This report is part of the FMA’s regulatory focus on managing conflicts of interest in the insurance industry.

The role of registered and/or authorised financial advisers in insurance replacement business was examined in two reports, published in 2016 and 2018.

A thematic review of incentive structures in banks is also underway. This is due to be completed by the end of 2018. The RBNZ/FMA culture and conduct review is also ongoing.  

Contact:

Edwin Mitson
Senior Adviser, Media Relations
021 702 036

Notes to editors:

Replacement business is where a client changes insurance policy or providers.

A qualifying financial entity is a large financial organisation like a bank or insurer. It has responsibility to ensure employees and its nominated representatives comply with their financial adviser obligations.

The Financial Services Legislation Amendment Bill is currently before Parliament. The conduct examined in this review is covered by the Financial Advisers Act 2008, which would be replaced by the bill currently before Parliament.