Insurance mediation activity: responsibility, knowledge, ability and good repute

Part

MIPRU Prudential sourcebook for Mortgage and Home Finance Firms, and Insurance Intermediaries

Chapter

Insurance mediation activity: responsibility, knowledge, ability and good repute

Printed on: 16/12/2024

Rulebook at: 02/04/2015

MIPRU 2

Insurance mediation activity: responsibility, knowledge, ability and good repute

MIPRU 2.1

Application and purpose

01/01/2007

Application

MIPRU 2.1.1

This chapter applies to a firm with Part 4A permission to carry on insurance mediation activity.

01/04/2013

Purpose

MIPRU 2.1.2

The main purpose of this chapter is to implement in part the provisions of the Insurance Mediation Directive as these apply to firms regulated by the appropriate regulator.

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.2

Allocation of the responsibility for insurance mediation activity

01/01/2007

Responsibility for insurance mediation activity

MIPRU 2.2.1

A firm, other than a sole trader, must allocate the responsibility for the firm's insurance mediation activity to a director or senior manager.

[Note: Article 3(1), fourth paragraph, of the Insurance Mediation Directive]

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.2.2

The firm may allocate the responsibility for its insurance mediation activity to an approved person (or persons) performing:

(1) a governing function (other than the non-executive director function); or
(2) the apportionment and oversight function; or
(3) the significant management function in so far as it relates to dealing in investments as principal, disregarding article 15 of the Regulated Activities Order (Absence of holding out etc) (or agreeing to do so) or an activity which is not designated investment business.

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.2.3

(1) Typically a firm will appoint a person performing a governing function (other than the non-executive director function) to direct its insurance mediation activity. Where this responsibility is allocated to a person performing another function, the person performing the apportionment and oversight function with responsibility for the apportionment of responsibilities must ensure that the firm's insurance mediation activity is appropriately allocated.
(2) The descriptions of significant influence functions, other than the required functions, do not extend to activities carried on by an insurance intermediary with permission only to carry on insurance mediation activity and whose principal purpose is to carry on activities other than regulated activities (see SUP 10A.1.18 R ). In this case, the firm may allocate the responsibility for the firm's insurance mediation activity to one or more of the persons performing the apportionment and oversight function who will be required to be an approved person.
(3) In the case of a sole trader, the sole trader will be responsible for the firm's insurance mediation activity.

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.3

Knowledge, ability and good repute

01/01/2007

MIPRU 2.3.1

A firm (other than a connected travel insurance intermediary) must establish on reasonable grounds that:

(1) a reasonable proportion of the persons within its management structure who are responsible for insurance mediation activity; and
(2) all other persons directly involved in its insurance mediation activity;
demonstrate the knowledge and ability necessary for the performance of their duties; and
(3) all the persons in its management structure and any staff directly involved in insurance mediation activity are of good repute.

[Note: Article 4(1) and (2) of the Insurance Mediation Directive]

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.3.2A

In determining a person's knowledge and ability, the firm should have regard to matters including, but not limited to, whether the person:

(1) has demonstrated by experience and training that he is able or will be able to perform his duties related to the firm's insurance mediation activity; and

(2) satisfies the relevant requirements in the Senior Management Arrangements, Systems and Controls sourcebook (SYSC).

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.3.3

In considering a person's repute the firm must ensure that the person:

(1) has not been convicted of any serious criminal offences linked to crimes against property or other crimes related to financial activities (other than spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 or any other national equivalent); and
(2) has not been adjudged bankrupt (unless the bankruptcy has been discharged);

under the law of any part of the United Kingdom or under the law of a country or territory outside the United Kingdom.

[Note: Article 4(2) of the Insurance Mediation Directive]

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.3.4

The firm should give particular consideration to offences of dishonesty, fraud, financial crime or other offences under legislation relating to banking and financial services, companies, insurance and consumer protection.

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.3.5

Firms are reminded that Principle 3 requires firms to take reasonable care to organise and control their affairs responsibly and effectively. Principle 3 is amplified by the rule which requires firms to take reasonable care to establish and maintain such systems and controls as are appropriate to its business (SYSC 3.1.1 R and SYSC 4.1.1 R). A firm's systems and controls should enable it to satisfy itself of the suitability of anyone who acts for it (SYSC 3.2.13 G and SYSC 5.1.2 G). This includes the assessment of an individual's honesty and competence. In addition, the competent employees rule (SYSC 3.1.6 R and SYSC 5.1.1 R) sets out a high-level competence requirement which every firm should follow.

01/04/2013

MIPRU 2.3.5A

Firms are reminded that Principle 3 requires firms to take reasonable care to organise and control their affairs responsibly and effectively. Principle 3 is amplified by the rule which requires firms to take reasonable care to establish and maintain such systems and controls as are appropriate to its business (SYSC 3.1.1 R, SYSC 4.1.1 R and, for CRR firms, General Organisational Requirement 2.1 of the PRA Rulebook). A firm's systems and controls should enable it to satisfy itself of the suitability of anyone who acts for it (SYSC 3.2.13 G). This includes the assessment of an individual's honesty and competence. In addition, the competent employees rule (SYSC 3.1.6 R, SYSC 5.1.1 R Skills, Knowledge and Expertise 2.1 of the PRA Rulebook) sets out a high-level competence requirement which every firm should follow.

02/04/2015