Household Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Revamp Needed for Product Distribution, Urges ASIC

Revamp Needed for Product Distribution, Urges ASIC

Revamp Needed for Product Distribution, Urges ASIC?w=400
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a stern reminder to issuers of insurance and other financial products, emphasizing the urgency to enhance their distribution practices to avoid violating compliance obligations.

Recent evaluations by the regulator unveiled significant weaknesses, including insufficient due diligence mechanisms for assessing and supervising third-party distributors, subpar consumer questionnaires, and a general lack of monitoring of consumer outcomes and product performance.

“This review offers an insight into how different industries and products are adhering to design and distribution obligations,” stated ASIC commissioner Alan Kirkland. “Where improvements can be made, we expect issuers and distributors to scrutinize the reports and elevate their distribution approaches.”

From October last year up until last month, ASIC's review covered 19 product issuers, including providers of funeral and accident insurance. The examination revealed persistent issues, particularly in funeral and accident insurance, where consumers still received quotes despite being outside the intended target market based on "knockout" question responses. Moreover, consumer questionnaires often only inquired about age, an eligibility criterion, without addressing critical affordability concerns.

Under the design and distribution obligations regime implemented since October 2021, financial product issuers are mandated to ensure their products are designed for and marketed to the correct target audience. This involves creating a target market determination statement for each product, outlining its appropriateness for the intended consumers and ensuring distribution conditions align with this target market.

“ASIC is particularly focused on fostering adherence to the design and distribution obligations,” the regulator mentioned. “We are committed to regulatory actions where necessary and leveraging these obligations to enhance consumer outcomes.”

Mr. Kirkland shared that ASIC has launched five civil proceedings related to these obligations, achieving three victories so far. Additionally, the commission has issued over 80 stop orders and published findings from seven reviews since the obligations came into effect.

Based on an article from Financial Services Online, it's clear that the current state of compliance in distribution need a proactive approach to better cater to the needs and protection of consumers. Taking heed of these regulatory insights will benefit both issuers and consumers in the long run.

Published:Thursday, 19th Sep 2024
Source: Paige Estritori

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Impact of Trump Tariffs on Global Insurance Industry Impact of Trump Tariffs on Global Insurance Industry
11 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

According to Swiss Re’s latest Sigma report, the growth of property and casualty premiums is moderating in both Australia and globally. This moderation is primarily driven by a slowdown in rate hikes. Additionally, the Trump administration's America First trade policy is putting further pressure on the insurance sector. - read more
Navigating Changes in Australia's Life Insurance Advice Landscape Navigating Changes in Australia's Life Insurance Advice Landscape
10 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The conversation on the shifting dynamics in Australia's life insurance advice sector featured Zurich Australia's head of adviser channel, Kieran Forde, and Hayes & Co director, Katherine Hayes. They engaged with editor Chris Dastoor to spotlight the current market conditions and future prospects for financial advisers in this domain. - read more
ASIC Challenges Federal Court's 'Fair Term' Ruling ASIC Challenges Federal Court's 'Fair Term' Ruling
09 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is appealing a Federal Court decision regarding the wording of a 'pre-existing condition' clause in certain HCF Life insurance products. The court previously determined that while the wording had the potential to mislead consumers, it did not constitute an unfair contract term under the current laws set out in the ASIC Act 2001. - read more
ICA Advocates for Strata Law Reform in the ACT to Enhance Building Management ICA Advocates for Strata Law Reform in the ACT to Enhance Building Management
08 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is urging the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) to adopt strata transparency regulations, aiming to enhance oversight of building repairs and maintenance by owners’ committees. This call was made during a parliamentary inquiry, where the ICA pushed for measures akin to recent legislative changes in New South Wales. - read more
Tasmanian Government Insurance Proposal Faces Industry Backlash Tasmanian Government Insurance Proposal Faces Industry Backlash
07 Jul 2025: Paige Estritori

The Tasmanian government's recent proposal to establish a state-run insurance entity has drawn significant criticism from key players in the insurance industry. The plan, spearheaded by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, aims to expand the Motor Accidents Insurance Board into a broader service named TasInsure, offering products including home and contents insurance, small business coverage, and more. The RACT, a major player in Tasmania's insurance sector, expressed considerable concern, labelling the initiative as a simplistic answer to complex problems. - read more


Household Insurance Articles

Protecting Your Home: The What, Why, and How of Home Insurance Protecting Your Home: The What, Why, and How of Home Insurance
As Australians, our homes are often at the heart of our livelihoods and hold significant emotional and financial value. Protecting this important asset is more than just a precaution; it's a necessary step in safeguarding our future. Home insurance acts as a shield against unpredictable events that can have devastating effects on our property and peace of mind. Whether it's from natural disasters or unforeseen accidents, the significance of home insurance cannot be understated. - read more
Essential Tips to Find the Right Home and Contents Insurance for Your Family Essential Tips to Find the Right Home and Contents Insurance for Your Family
In the face of unpredictable climate patterns and wild weather, safeguarding your home becomes a top priority, especially in a country like Australia. Choosing the right home and contents insurance is essential in providing a financial safety net against the forces of nature. With this in mind, the importance of insurance cannot be overstated, acting as a crucial buffer to protect your property and belongings. - read more
How Often Should You Review and Update Your Household Insurance Policy? How Often Should You Review and Update Your Household Insurance Policy?
It’s easy to think of household insurance as something you purchase once and forget about. However, this approach can leave you vulnerable to unexpected risks. Your home and its contents change over time, and so do your insurance needs. - read more
Why Income Protection Insurance Matters for Every Australian Earner Why Income Protection Insurance Matters for Every Australian Earner
The unpredictable nature of life can often leave us vulnerable to financial uncertainty, especially when it comes to our ability to earn an income. Whether due to illness, injury, or unexpected job loss, the loss of income can have a devastating impact on our financial stability and quality of life. This is where the importance of insurance in financial planning becomes evident. - read more
Tips and Tricks for Fitting Insurance Premiums into Your Monthly Budget Tips and Tricks for Fitting Insurance Premiums into Your Monthly Budget
Understanding the significance of insurance in managing your finances is crucial. It acts as a safeguard, providing a buffer against unexpected losses or damage to your most valuable possessions. However, the costs associated with this necessary protection can be challenging to manage, especially when it comes to fitting insurance premiums into a monthly budget. - read more
How Often Should You Review and Update Your Household Insurance Policy? How Often Should You Review and Update Your Household Insurance Policy?
It’s easy to think of household insurance as something you purchase once and forget about. However, this approach can leave you vulnerable to unexpected risks. Your home and its contents change over time, and so do your insurance needs. - read more
10 Tips for Lowering Your Home and Contents Insurance Premiums 10 Tips for Lowering Your Home and Contents Insurance Premiums
One of the best ways to lower your home and contents insurance premiums is to shop around for the best deal. Insurance companies often have varying rates, discounts, and offers that could save you a significant amount of money. Start by researching different insurance providers and their policy offerings. Make sure to compare not only pricing but also features, coverages and deductible amounts. - read more
The Essential Guide to Comprehensive Household Coverage in Australia The Essential Guide to Comprehensive Household Coverage in Australia
Comprehensive household coverage, often referred to as home insurance, is a policy designed to protect your home and its contents against a wide array of risks. This type of coverage typically includes protection against natural disasters, theft, vandalism, and various unforeseen events. In simple terms, it's the safety net that ensures peace of mind should the unexpected happen to your property or possessions. - read more
Building Your Safety Net: Understanding Total Replacement Cover Building Your Safety Net: Understanding Total Replacement Cover
For many Australians, their home is their castle, their sanctuary, and most significantly, their largest investment. Safeguarding this asset against unpredictable events is not merely a consideration—it's a necessity. That's where Total Replacement Cover comes into play. But what does this term really mean, and why is it paramount when it comes to choosing a home insurance policy? - read more
Why Australian Households Can't Afford to Skip Insurance Why Australian Households Can't Afford to Skip Insurance
Household insurance is a critical safety net for many Australian families. It protects against unexpected events such as natural disasters, theft, and accidents, ensuring that your home and belongings can be repaired or replaced if something goes awry. - read more


Your free Household insurance quote comparison starts here!
First Name:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Liability Insurance:
A type of insurance that provides protection against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people and/or property.