Life advisers reminded they need to actively review legacy policies

Compliance Refinery director Steve Burgess has reminded life insurance advisers they need to review legacy policies or risk opening themselves up to censure by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA).

Speaking at a Quotemonster roadshow event in Lower Hutt, Burgess said of legacy products,

“If you don't look at it, the regulator could decide that's you saying that product is suitable for your client.”

Burgess also cautioned that some legacy products have features that are difficult or impossible to replicate with new policies, so as well as listing the advantages of replacement policies, advisers need to be recording any disadvantages clients may face if they change.

Steve Wright has also written of how the FMA have flagged ‘suitability of advice’ as something they will be focusing on in future. Wright has helpfully listed some steps advisers should be following to help ensure the suitability of their advice, including having a suitable fact find process; needs analysis and quantification of client risks; avoiding limiting or transferring risks to an insurer; assessment of insurance types required and sums insured; and giving appropriate product recommendations.

 

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