A common question I’m asked is the timing to provide disclosure documents & other notices.
The source of the obligation – Act, Regs or Code includes the timing & content requirements for each document & by whom & to whom provided.
The requirements depend on the type of client (retail or wholesale), what you do & who you represent (broker representing an insured or MGA/TPA representing an insurer, or an insurer).
๐ฆ๐๐บ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐
๐ญ๐บ๐ฎ
An AFS Licensee or their AR must give a FSG to a retail client as soon as practicable after it becomes apparent that a financial service will be provided to that client & before a financial service is provided.
It is industry best practice to provide an FSG to wholesale clients.
Insurance brokers should be aware that an FSG may be given after the services have been provided in ‘time critical’ cases such as an impending policy due date (4pm).
Brokers can also provide the ‘Terms of engagement’ (part 4.2 Brokers Code) at the same time as providing an FSG.
Insurance Claims Managers do not need to provide an FSG (as they act for insureds) but Claimant Intermediaries must.
๐ฆ๐ข๐
A Statement of Advice must be provided where personal advice is provided to a retail client for sickness & accident & CCI insurance products. The SOA must be provided when or as soon as practicable after providing the advice.
๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด
A GAW must be provided at the same time & in the same format as when general advice is provided to retail clients. If the GA is provided on a website or in a document the GAW must be included.
๐ท๐ซ๐บ
Generally, a product issuer (insurer or MGA) must provide a PDS to a retail client when making an offer (quote) or sale. A broker should ensure a PDS is provided when making a recommendation to a retail client to buy an insurance product.
๐ป๐ด๐ซ
A TMD must be made publicly available before any person distributes a financial product that is subject to the design & distribution obligations ie ‘retail product distribution’. Generally the TMD is available on issuers websites with links provided in relevant documents.
๐ช๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐ & ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
A CSFS must be provided by insurers (or TPA) to retail clients before a cash payment is made where there are other legally available options to settle the claim.
A CoT must be provided as is reasonably practicable after the transaction with the retail client occurs & includes acceptance & settlement of an insurance claim.
A CSFS may be provided up to 5 days after the payment in cases of ‘immediate need’. A CSFS or CoT is not required in family violence situations.
๐ผ๐ญ๐ฐ
Brokers must provide a written notice to a client when placing business with an Unauthorised Foreign Insurer when relying upon 1 of the 4 exceptions.
Contact me to understand all your disclosure & notices obligations.