Opinion

The FSA has announced it will be proposing that pension term assurance (PTA) should be sold under ICOB rules as well as COB rules. What does this mean for protection intermediaries? Is there a future for PTA, and how long is the product likely to last...

Has the introduction of depolarisation changed the meaning of independent advice in the protection market and what effects could this have on the sector?

What are the pros and cons of the Financial Services Authority's treating customers fairly (TCF) initiative and what has it contributed to the protection and health insurance markets?

There has been speculation that the protection market is undergoing a rate war. Although several insurers have denied this claim, the number of rate changes has increased lately. Could this have a negative effect on the industry, and how will intermediaries...

Mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) is constantly criticised for its failings in comparison to income protection (IP). But what advantages does the product have and in what instance is it a more suitable product than IP?

Next month the Association of British Insurers' (ABI) critical illness (CI) working party will announce the proposed changes to the CI definitions. What definition changes are expected, what would be welcomed, and what impact will this have on intermediaries...

Standard Life made a bold move this month by revealing details of its declined claims statistics for...

The Association of British Insurers' (ABI) recently outlined proposals that could spell the end of commission-based financial advice. Are its accusations that commission creates bias and questions the advice given to consumers well founded?

The Financial Services Authority's (FSA) initiative of treating customers fairly (TCF) was put under...

The Financial Services Authority's (FSA) initiative of treating customers fairly (TCF) was put under...