Revamp Needed for Product Distribution, Urges ASIC
Revamp Needed for Product Distribution, Urges ASIC
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:
| Surge in Mental Health Claims Reshapes Australia's Insurance Landscape 02 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori Australia's insurance industry is experiencing a significant shift as mental health conditions have become the leading cause of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims. Recent data from the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) indicates that mental health issues now account for nearly one-third of all TPD claims, marking a substantial change in the industry's claim patterns. - read more |
| Australian Insurance Premiums See Notable Decrease 02 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori Recent data indicates a notable decline in life and income protection insurance premiums across Australia, providing consumers with more affordable coverage options. According to the latest Direct Life Insurance Report from Rainmaker Information, direct life premiums have decreased by 7% since 2024. Similarly, direct income protection premiums have seen significant reductions, with average premiums for waiting periods of 30 days and 90 days decreasing by 12% and 13%, respectively. - read more |
| TAL's Health Sense Plus Now Covers Income Protection Policies 02 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori In a significant development for policyholders, TAL has expanded its Health Sense Plus program to encompass income protection (IP) policies. This initiative, effective from August 8, 2025, aims to incentivise proactive health management by offering premium discounts to clients who engage in preventative health checks. - read more |
| Northern Australian Marinas Appeal for Government Support Amid Escalating Insurance Costs 02 Dec 2025: Paige Estritori Marina operators across Northern Australia are sounding the alarm over surging insurance premiums, with some reporting increases exceeding 300% in recent years. This financial strain is prompting urgent calls for government intervention to ensure the sustainability of the industry. - read more |
| Why Every Tradie Needs Tailored Insurance: Protecting Your Livelihood In Australia, tradies are the backbone of many local communities, providing essential services in fields such as construction, plumbing, electrical work, and more. These skilled professionals often operate their own businesses or work as contractors, making financial stability paramount. - read more
|
| The Savvy Traveller's Checklist for Affordable Travel Insurance Travel insurance is an indispensable component for any savvy traveller from Australia, playing a protective role in a myriad of situations that may occur away from home. Whether it's encountering flight delays, requiring medical assistance, or facing luggage theft, having a solid travel insurance policy can convert potential nightmares into manageable inconveniences. Yet, despite its importance, the process of finding a policy that won't break the bank is increasingly challenging. - read more
|
| Income Protection Insurance vs. Life Insurance: What's the Difference? Insurance is a crucial aspect of financial planning, offering protection against unexpected events that can have significant financial impacts. Among the various insurance options available, two prominent types are Income Protection Insurance and Life Insurance. - read more
|
| The importance of Income Protection Insurance for Employees While some people might think that income protection insurance is only for self-employed individuals, this is not accurate. This type of insurance is just as beneficial for employees, because accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any time. Workers' compensation provides only limited coverage, and most employees don't have much more than a few weeks' sick leave accrued. Of course, if you have more than one job, the situation becomes more of a concern if you are injured at one workplace resulting in being unable to work at either. - read more
|
An amendment or addition to an existing insurance policy that changes the terms or scope of the original policy.