Insurance distribution

As a general rule, law firms are not permitted to engage directly in insurance distribution activities, unless they are licensed by the FCA. This document focuses on law firms engaging in insurance distribution activities in the capacity of an ancillary insurance intermediary, which is permitted. This is most likely to be relevant to law firms engaging in conveyancing, personal injury or private client work.

What is insurance distribution?

Insurance distribution activities are, broadly:

•
advising on or proposing an insurance contract
•
carrying out other work in preparation for the conclusion of an insurance contract or concluding an insurance contract
•
assisting in the administration and performance of an insurance contract
•
providing insurance comparison information via website

For the detailed definitions, see Practice Note: Insurance distribution activities—law firms—What are insurance distribution activities?

Insurance distribution v introduction

The definition of insurance distribution does not include ‘introducing’.

This means you will not have to comply with the requirements of the insurance distribution regime if you merely introduce the client to an insurance provider—save that where you introduce the client to an insurance intermediary (ie broker), you

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

TAKE A FREE TRIAL

Latest Practice Compliance News

New Practice Compliance forecast as at 18 December 2024

Our new Practice Compliance forecast (as at 18 December 2024) is now live. This month we report on items including: (1) publication of Guidelines 02/2024 on Article 48 GDPR by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) for consultation; (2) expectations for the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) to publish its final budget and business plan in Spring 2025; (3) expectations for the Data (Use and Access) Bill to be enacted in early spring 2025, and (4) a statement by the ICO that it would update its existing AI guidance in due course.

House of Lords conclude committee stage of Data (Use and Access) Bill

The House of Lords has completed the committee stage of the Data (Use and Access) Bill, the final day of scrutiny took place on 18 December 2024 and focused on amendments related to children and AI, national security and data privacy risks and AI compliance with UK copyright law. The bill, aimed at harnessing data for economic growth and improving digital governance, has undergone thorough examination over multiple sessions, addressing issues such as protection of children, misuse of AI rules, data mining and processing of personal data. The next stage, report stage, is scheduled for 21 January 2025.

Businesses should expect a role in tackling fraud next year

Law360, London: If one word sums up a key trend in financial crime enforcement in 2024, it would be fraud, specifically consumer fraud.

SRA issues warning on unsolicited approaches and cold calling in legal marketing

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning notice to law firms, particularly those engaged in high-volume claims work, regarding prohibited marketing practices such as cold calling and unsolicited approaches. The notice addresses concerns about firms' recruitment of clients through potentially unethical means, including the use of third-party introducers. The SRA emphasises the need for firms to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements when marketing to potential clients, especially in relation to 'no win, no fee' agreements. To support this, the SRA has published a consumer guide on 'no win, no fee' arrangements. The regulator warns that it will take action against firms found to be in breach of SRA principles.

View Practice Compliance by content type :

News