FCA Proposes to Extend Temporary Measures for Insurers Amid COVID
FCA announced proposals to extend a series of temporary measures for three months to help customers that hold insurance and premium finance products and that may be in temporary financial difficulties because of the COVID-19 crisis. The guideline is proposed to be extended until October 31, 2020, although certain parts of it will continue beyond that date. FCA is also proposing to more clearly set out its expectations on how firms should treat customers still in financial difficulty at the end of a payment deferral. The original measures came into force on May 18, 2020 and FCA committed to reviewing them after three months. FCA is seeking comments on its proposal by July 28. If confirmed, the updated guidance will come into force by August 18, 2020.
The proposed updated guidance sets out the expectations for firms when considering the fair treatment of existing customers in financial difficulty, due to circumstances arising from the pandemic. The proposed guidance specifies that firms should continue to consider what options they can offer customers. Where payment deferral is not in the best interest, the measures that could be taken may include premium reductions due to changes in risk profile, offering an alternative product that would better meet the customer needs, and waiving fees associated with altering cover. Where amendments to the insurance cover do not help alleviate the customer’s temporary payment difficulties, firms will be expected to grant a payment deferral of between one and three months, unless it is obviously not in the customer’s interest to do so. It is important that customers do not leave themselves uninsured and that their insurance cover meets their demands and needs. Those struggling to afford their insurance or premium finance payments because of the impact of the pandemic should contact their insurer or insurance broker to discuss their options.
The guidance applies to regulated firms operating in the insurance and premium finance markets. This includes insurers, insurance intermediaries (including appointed representatives), premium finance lenders that provide credit to fund the payment of insurance premiums in installments, premium finance brokers that carry on regulated activities relating to credit granted for the purposes of financing insurance premiums in installments, debt collectors, and other firms that may be involved in insurance arrangements and/or the provision of premium finance.
Related Links
Keywords: Europe, UK, Insurance, Premium Finance Firms, COVID-19, Payment Deferrals, Guideline, FCA
Previous Article
APRA to Recommence Prudential Policy Program and License IssuanceRelated Articles
BIS and Central Banks Experiment with GenAI to Assess Climate Risks
A recent report from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Innovation Hub details Project Gaia, a collaboration between the BIS Innovation Hub Eurosystem Center and certain central banks in Europe
Nearly 25% G-SIBs Commit to Adopting TNFD Nature-Related Disclosures
Nature-related risks are increasing in severity and frequency, affecting businesses, capital providers, financial systems, and economies.
Singapore to Mandate Climate Disclosures from FY2025
Singapore recently took a significant step toward turning climate ambition into action, with the introduction of mandatory climate-related disclosures for listed and large non-listed companies
SEC Finalizes Climate-Related Disclosures Rule
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalized the long-awaited rule that mandates climate-related disclosures for domestic and foreign publicly listed companies in the U.S.
EBA Proposes Standards Related to Standardized Credit Risk Approach
The European Banking Authority (EBA) has been taking significant steps toward implementing the Basel III framework and strengthening the regulatory framework for credit institutions in the EU
US Regulators Release Stress Test Scenarios for Banks
The U.S. regulators recently released baseline and severely adverse scenarios, along with other details, for stress testing the banks in 2024. The relevant U.S. banking regulators are the Federal Reserve Bank (FED), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Asian Governments Aim for Interoperability in AI Governance Frameworks
The regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence (AI), including the generative kind, is evolving rapidly, with governments and regulators aiming to address the challenges and opportunities presented by this transformative technology.
EBA Proposes Operational Risk Standards Under Final Basel III Package
The European Union (EU) has been working on the final elements of Basel III standards, with endorsement of the Banking Package and the publication of the European Banking Authority (EBA) roadmap on Basel III implementation in December 2023.
EFRAG Proposes XBRL Taxonomy and Standard for Listed SMEs Under ESRS
The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), which plays a crucial role in shaping corporate reporting standards in European Union (EU), is seeking comments, until May 21, 2024, on the Exposure Draft ESRS for listed SMEs.
ECB to Expand Climate Change Work in 2024-2025
Banking regulators worldwide are increasingly focusing on addressing, monitoring, and supervising the institutions' exposure to climate and environmental risks.