On 19 July 2010, the FSA sent a letter to UK insurance firms reminding them of the requirement that terms in legal expenses insurance must not detract from, or qualify in any way, an insured’s freedom to choose a lawyer.
Read More UK/EU: Legal Expenses Insurance Must Comply with Insured’s Freedom to Choose Lawyer Under EU Directive
Regulatory
Hong Kong: Yuan Liberalisation Boosts Insurers
On 20 July 2010, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Beijing signed an historic agreement allowing Hong Kong to become the first yuan clearing centre outside mainland China. Asia Insurance Review reports that insurers and wealth management companies stand to gain from the agreement. …
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New York Insurance Department to Hold Hearing on August 20, 2010 on Whether to Expand the Export List Under Regulation 41
A public hearing on August 20, 2010 will explore the possibility of increasing insurance capacity in New York by easing access to unauthorized insurers. The New York State Insurance Department (“NYID”) is soliciting input from the public as it determines whether to revise eligible coverages on the Export List, as set forth in Insurance Department Regulation 41 (11 NYCRR 27). …
Read More New York Insurance Department to Hold Hearing on August 20, 2010 on Whether to Expand the Export List Under Regulation 41
German Government Opposes US Legislation Limiting Deductibility of Reinsurance Premiums
Proposed legislation that would limit a tax deduction for reinsurance premiums paid to a foreign affiliate of a US insurer has drawn the formal opposition of the German government. Ambassador Klaus Scharioth, in a recent letter to House Ways and Means Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI), said that the so-called Neal Bill (HR 3424) “goes well beyond” the undisputed goal of combating tax avoidance and evasion and, as a result, conflicts with provisions of the German-US tax treaty. …
Read More German Government Opposes US Legislation Limiting Deductibility of Reinsurance Premiums
Hong Kong: Government Proposes to Establish Independent Insurance Authority
On 12 July 2010 the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan, released a consultation paper entitled “Proposed Establishment of an Independent Insurance Authority”. The insurance sector and the public have a 3 month consultation period (which ends on 11 October 2010) in which to provide their views. …
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UK: HM Treasury Launches Financial Services Reforms Consultation
HM Treasury has today (26 July 2010) launched its consultation on the implementation of financial regulation reforms, originally announced by the Chancellor on 16 June 2010 (click here to see our original post and here to see our most recent post on the subject). …
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Obama Administration Reiterates Opposition of NFIP Expansion to include Windstorm Coverage
The Obama Administration, through the Office of Management and Budget, has reiterated its position that it is against the expansion of the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”) to include coverage for windstorm damage. …
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UK: Law Commission Publishes Issues Paper 8 on Brokers’ Liability for Premiums
On 19 July 2010, the Law Commission published an Issues Paper on the broker’s liability for premiums under Section 53 of the Marine Insurance Act 1906. …
Read More UK: Law Commission Publishes Issues Paper 8 on Brokers’ Liability for Premiums
UK: FSA Fines Approved Person for Unsuitable PPI Advice
On 9 July 2010, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) fined David Head £10,500 for putting customers at risk of receiving unsuitable advice on Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). Head, a director of Essex based mortgage and insurance broker network, FT Compliance Services Limited, and an FSA approved person, failed properly to supervise insurance and mortgage brokers who advised on PPI sales. …
Read More UK: FSA Fines Approved Person for Unsuitable PPI Advice
UK: Law Commission Publishes Paper on The Insured’s Post-Contract Duty of Good Faith
The Law Commission has published an Issues Paper considering the insured’s post-contract duty of good faith, in particular, the law of fraudulent claims, focusing on what remedies should be available to insurers if policyholders act fraudulently. …
Read More UK: Law Commission Publishes Paper on The Insured’s Post-Contract Duty of Good Faith