The recent Federal Court decision in ASIC v Auto & General Insurance Company Limited [2024] FCA 272 is the first decision to apply the unfair contract terms (UCT) regime in the context of insurance since its expansion to insurance policies on 5 April 2021. On 22 March 2024, Jackman J delivered a judgment
Insurance
FCA makes formal request for non-financial misconduct data from Lloyd’s and London market firms
On 7 February 2024 the FCA published a letter to all regulated Lloyd’s managing agents, London market insurers and Lloyd’s and London market brokers and MGAs (dated 6 February 2024), requesting information relating to incidents of non-financial misconduct. Culture and non-financial misconduct clearly remain focus areas for the FCA.
Key points to note from the…
Solvent Exit Planning: Implications of the PRA proposals in CP2/24
Solvent Exit Planning: Implications of the PRA proposals in CP2/24
On January 23, 2024, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published a consultation paper (CP) (CP2/24) outlining its proposals for PRA-regulated insurers to prepare for an orderly ‘solvent exit’ as part of business-as-usual (BAU) activities, and to be able to execute such a solvent…
PRA consults on funded reinsurance for life firms
On November 16, 2023, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published consultation paper CP24/23: Funded reinsurance, setting out its proposed expectations in respect of life firms entering into or holding funded reinsurance arrangements as cedants.
The PRA recognises that such reinsurance arrangements are an important part of risk management. However, the PRA sets out its…
Gearing up for mission critical – APRA’s new expectations for insurers
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has finalised Prudential Standard CPS 230 (Operational Risk Management) (CPS 230) following a year-long industry consultation. The new prudential standard commences on 1 July 2025 and applies to all APRA-regulated entities, encompassing banks, insurers (general, life and health) and registrable superannuation entity licensees. This…
Gearing up for mission critical – APRA’s new expectations for insurers
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has finalised Prudential Standard CPS 230 (Operational Risk Management) (CPS 230) following a year-long industry consultation. The new prudential standard commences on 1 July 2025 and applies to all APRA-regulated entities, encompassing banks, insurers (general, life and health) and registrable superannuation entity licensees. This…
A case of déjà vu? Unfair Contract Terms changes are coming to insurance contracts…again
If you are feeling a case of déjà vu after reading this headline, you are not alone. Just over two years since the unfair contract terms (UCT) regime came into effect for insurance contracts, a revamped regime commences on 9 November 2023. Insurers are yet again reviewing insurance contracts that may now be…
A case of déjà vu? Unfair Contract Terms changes are coming to insurance contracts…again
If you are feeling a case of déjà vu after reading this headline, you are not alone. Just over two years since the unfair contract terms (UCT) regime came into effect for insurance contracts, a revamped regime commences on 9 November 2023. Insurers are yet again reviewing insurance contracts that may now be…
Are insurers looking FAR enough ahead? APRA and ASIC consult on proposed Regulator rules
While the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2023 (Cth) (Bill)is still before the Senate, APRA and ASIC (Regulators) have already released draft Regulator rules for consultation. The Regulator rules provide some guidance on what APRA considers a key function for the purposes of assigning responsibility to ‘accountable persons’.
If passed by…
Financial services monthly wrap-up: May 2023
The month of May saw a broad range of activities within the financial services industry. ASIC released the results of its review into compliance with the design and distribution obligations as well as updating the industry on their greenwashing actions. ASIC also commenced proceedings against an insurer, alleging unfair contract terms in an insurance contract…