Insurers

Which? has published updated research information in relation to insurer premium finance interest rates in home and motor insurance, continuing to put pressure on the FCA whilst the regulator undertakes its premium finance Market Study.

The FCA has published a statement confirming that, if it is shown that motor finance customers have lost out from widespread failings by authorised firms, it is likely to consult on a formal industry redress scheme.

In a review which examined how firms support customers in vulnerable circumstances, the FCA noted many firms were unable to monitor or act on outcomes for customers and had failed to make sufficient progress on product and service design and training front-line staff.

Quarterly FCA whistleblowing data reveals the number of reports received by the regulator in Q4 2024 decreased compared with the previous quarter, but increased compared to the same period in 2023. 

In a case that serves as stark reminder of the devastating impact of fraud, the FCA has banned David Robert Cooke, former director at Professional Construction Risks Limited, from working in financial services after he committed insurance fraud that led to the collapse of a commercial client’s firm.

Following increased scrutiny on the FCA by the government to boost UK economic growth and competition, FCA Nikhil Rathi stated that the regulator is ‘willing to be bold’ in its approach as it looks to cut regulatory burdens and slow the pace of regulatory change.

The FCA has published a Research note following an exploration of the relative efficacy of different models for explaining AI outputs to consumers in the context of using AI to determine consumer creditworthiness.

The Ombudsman claims the funding arrangement will encourage professional representatives to submit better-evidenced complaints.

The ABI have called for more funding for property protection after publishing data which revealed that insurers paid out a record £585 million in claims for weather-related damage to homes and possessions in 2024.