Britain's insurers told to demonstrate better value for customers
Adds industry reaction in paragraph 6
By Huw Jones
LONDON, Aug 21 (Reuters) -Some of Britain's car, home and other insurers are still unable to show they provide good outcomes for consumers, the country's financial watchdog said on Wednesday, a year after the introduction of tougher protections for policyholders.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a 'thematic review' of the general insurance sector that found poor customer value and potential harm due to shortcomings in product governance, oversight and controls.
Many insurers have not implemented effective frameworks that provide evidence of why good value is being provided to customers, the FCA said.
Firms were also not adequately considering the total price paid for a policy, including the impact of remuneration on the overall value of a product.
"Progress is being made, but we are still seeing too many examples of insurers and brokers lacking the right information, governance, or oversight to ensure their customers get consistently good outcomes," Matt Brewis, the FCA's director of insurance, said in a statement.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said it was encouraging to see that progress has been made with product oversight and governance arrangements, but it was "clear that there is more that needs to be done and members remain strongly committed to this process".
The FCA introduced its Consumer Duty, comprising broad and comprehensive consumer protections across the financial sector, in July 2023 in a bid to draw a line under years of mis-selling scandals in the industry.
On Wednesday it published its latest indicators for value in insurance products, using the proportion of premiums paid in claims as a measure.
"Where our data suggests that value appears low, we will be in touch with firms later in the year to understand their products and the actions they have taken to improve value," the FCA said.
Claims costs as a proportion of premiums range from 72% for healthcare cash plans to 56% for motor insurance, and 45% for home insurance, falling sharply across a range of 'add on' insurance.
"Where we believe a firm has failed to act and is still providing poor value products, we will intervene where necessary to protect consumers," the FCA said.
FCA Value for Money in General Insurance Graphic https://tmsnrt.rs/4fW3RJQ
Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Louise Heavens and Jason Neely
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