The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is calling on insurance firms to review their product lines and consider rebating premiums or providing added benefits to clients whose coverage is affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Back in June, the FCA first published guidance for insurers, directing them to review their product lineups for pandemic effects and to take remedial action for customers who haven’t received the intended value of their insurance. Now, the FCA has directed those firms to complete their reviews by Dec. 3.
In particular, the FCA is concerned about insurance products that provide little or no value to customers given changes wrought by Covid-19 — such as liability insurance for businesses that can’t open due to public health restrictions, or instances where benefits can’t be provided because of lockdowns.
Reviews that identify products that aren’t providing value should be followed with action, such as refunding premiums, reducing premiums or providing different benefits to customers, the FCA said.
Given the ongoing effects of the pandemic, firms should continue to be on guard against consumers being harmed by paying for insurance that doesn’t have much value to them, the regulator said.
“Firms should monitor this risk as part of their normal product governance processes, including the ongoing monitoring and regular review of insurance products, and act where necessary,” the FCA said.
The regulator also called on firms to consider its new guidance on dealing with customers facing financial hardship due to the pandemic.