The Council of the EU has adopted the text of the Insurance
Distribution Directive ("IDD").
Once the IDD comes into force, Member States will have two years to
transpose it. Implementation of the IDD is likely to be 1 January
2018.
The key elements of the IDD include:
- Extension of scope – the Insurance Mediation Directive (IMD) currently applies to insurance intermediaries only. The IDD will extend the scope of the regulatory framework to encompass both the intermediate and direct sale of insurance products, including proportionate requirements for entities which sell insurance products on an ancillary basis.
- Enhanced Professional Requirements – the IDD will set higher professional standards for those involved in the distribution of insurance products to ensure that the sellers' competency is sufficient, taking into account the nature and complexity of the products being sold.
- Increased transparency in pre-contractual dealings – insurance intermediaries will be required to disclose the nature and basis upon which their remuneration is received for distributing insurance products on behalf of an undertaking (including whether commission is received). Where an insurance product is offered with another service or as part of a package, the distributor must inform the customer whether it is possible to purchase the different components separately.
Please click here to view the text of the IDD.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
