CMCOB 1 Application and purpose

1. (1)

   The Claims Management: Conduct of Business sourcebook (CMCOB) is the specialist sourcebook for regulated claims management activities.

2. (2)

   CMCOB applies as described in this chapter, unless the application of a chapter, section or a rule is described differently in the chapters, sections or rules in CMCOB.

The purpose of CMCOB is to set out the detailed obligations that are specific to regulated claims management activities and activities connected to those activities carried on by firms. These build on and add to the high-level obligations, for example, in PRIN, GEN and SYSC.

Other parts of the FCA Handbook also apply to regulated claims management activities. For example, the arrangements for supervising firms, including applicable reporting obligations, are described in the Supervision manual (SUP) and the detailed requirements for handling complaints are set out in the Dispute Resolution: Complaints sourcebook (DISP). The Client Assets sourcebook (CASS) also contains rules about client money that apply in certain circumstances.

Firms are reminded that they may require permissions to carry on regulated activities other than regulated claims management activities: for example, credit broking, entering into a regulated credit agreement as lender or insurance distribution activity.

For an activity to amount to a regulated claims management activity it must be carried on in Great Britain. Firms should note that regulated claims management activities (and activities ancillary to regulated claims management activities) can be carried on in Great Britain whether or not they are carried on from an establishment maintained in the United Kingdom (see PERG 2.4A).