Related provisions for DISP App 3.3.2
Types of activity – are they regulated activities and, if so, why?
Type of activity |
Is it a regulated activity? |
Rationale |
MARKETING AND EFFECTING INTRODUCTIONS |
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Passive display of information -for example, medical insurance brochures in doctor’s surgery (whether or not remuneration is received for this activity) |
No. |
Merely displaying information does not constitute making arrangements under article 25(2) (see PERG 5.6.4 G). |
Providing a2 customer with contact details or information about a broker / insurance undertaking2 (whether by phone, fax, e-mail, face-to-face or any other means of communication) |
Yes, but articles 33B or2 72C may be available. |
This will constitute making arrangements under article 25(2). But, the exclusions in articles 33B or 72C2 will apply if all the intermediary does is supply information to the customer and the relevant conditions of those exclusions2 are otherwise met (see PERG 5.6.4AG2 to PERG 5.6.9 G). Generally, this will not amount to advice under article 53(1)1 unless there is an implied recommendation of a particular policy (see PERG 5.8.4 G), in which case articles 33B and 72C2 would not be available. |
Providing an insurance undertaking/broker with contact details of customer |
Yes, but article 33B may be available2. |
This will constitute making arrangements under article 25(2) when undertaken in the context of regular or ongoing arrangements for introducing customers. Article 33B applies to the provision of information about a potential policyholder to an insurance undertaking or an insurance or reinsurance intermediary, and so may apply here if the relevant conditions are met. It will only apply if the provider of the customer information does not take any step other than providing the information to assist in the conclusion of a contract of insurance.2 |
Marketing on behalf of insurance undertaking to intermediaries only (for example, broker consultants) |
Yes. |
This amounts to work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance and so constitutes making arrangements under article 25(2). Article 33B does not apply because the information provided to the intermediary doesn’t relate to a potential policyholder, and isn’t provided to a policyholder.2 Article 72C is not available because this activity does not involve provision of information to the policyholder or potential policyholder only. |
Telemarketing services (that is, companies specialising in marketing an insurance undertaking's products/services to prospective customers) |
Yes. |
This amounts to introducing and/or other work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance and so constitutes making arrangements under article 25(2). This could also involve article 25(1) arranging where the telemarketing company actually sells a particular policy and could involve advising on investments. Article 33B is unlikely to apply, as the telemarketing company is likely to be actively persuading the customer rather than merely providing information.2 Article 72C will not be available where the provision of information is more than incidental to the telemarketing company’s main business. Articles 33B and 72C will not be available2 where the telemarketing company is advising on investments. |
PRE-PURCHASE DISCUSSIONS WITH CUSTOMERS AND ADVICE |
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Discussion with client about need for insurance generally/need to take out a particular type of insurance |
Generally, no. Articles 33B or2 72C available if needed. |
Not enough, of itself, to constitute making arrangements under article 25(2), but you should consider whether, viewed as a whole, your activities might amount to arranging. If so, articles 33B or2 72C might be of application (see PERG 5.6.5 G to PERG 5.6.9 G). |
Advising on the level of cover needed |
Generally, no. Articles 33B or2 72C available if needed. |
Not enough, of itself, to constitute making arrangements under article 25(2), but you should consider whether, viewed as a whole, your activities might amount to making arrangements under article 25(2) (see PERG 5.8.3 G). If so,articles 33B or2 72C might be of application (see PERG 5.6.4AG2 to PERG 5.6.9 G). |
Pre-purchase questioning in the context of filtered sales (intermediary asks a series of questions and then suggests several policies which suit the answers given) |
Yes. Subject to article 72 C exclusion where available. |
This will constitute arranging although article 72C may be of application (see PERG 5.6.4AG2 to PERG 5.6.9 G). If there is no express or implied recommendation of a particular policy, this activity will not amount to advice under article 53(1)1 (see PERG 5.8.15 G to PERG 5.8.19 G). |
Explanation of the terms of a particular policy or comparison of the terms of different policies |
Possibly. Article 72C available. |
This is likely to amount to making arrangements under article 25(2). In certain circumstances, it could involve advising on investments (except P2P agreements)1 (see PERG 5.8.8 G (Advice or information)). Where the explanation is provided to the potential policyholder, and does not involve advising on investments (except P2P agreements)1, article 72C may be of application (see PERG 5.6.5 G to PERG 5.6.9 G), and where information is provided by a professional in the course of a profession, article 67 may apply (see PERG 5.11.9 G to PERG 5.11.12 G). Article 33B will not be available where this involves taking steps other than the provision of information.2 |
Advising that a customer take out a particular policy |
Yes. |
This amounts to advice on the merits of a particular policy under article 53(1)1 (see PERG 5.8.4 G to PERG 5.8.5 G). |
Advising that a customer does not take out a particular policy |
Yes. |
This amounts to advice on the merits of a particular policy under article 53(1)1 (see PERG 5.8.4 G to PERG 5.8.5 G). |
Advice by journalists in newspapers, broadcasts etc. |
Generally, no because of the article 54 exclusion. |
Article 54 provides an exclusion for advice given in newspapers etc (see PERG 5.8.24 G to PERG 5.8.25 G). |
Giving advice to a customer in relation to2buying a consumer product, where insurance is a compulsory secondary purchase and/or a benefit that comes with buying the product |
Not necessarily but depends on the circumstances. |
Where the advice relates specifically to the merits of the consumer product, it is possible that references to the accompanying insurance may be seen to be information and not advice. If, however, the advice relates, in part, to the merits of the insurance element, then it will be regulated activity. |
ASSISTING CUSTOMERS WITH COMPLETING/SENDING APPLICATION FORMS |
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Providing information to customer who fills in application form |
Possibly. Subject to article 67 or 72C, and article 33B,2 exclusions where available. |
This activity may amount to arranging although the exclusions in article 67 (see PERG 5.11.9 G to PERG 5.11.12 G) and article 72C (see PERG 5.6.4AG2 to PERG 5.6.9 G) may be of application. Article 33B could also apply, depending on the type of information provided.2 |
Helping a potential policyholder fill in an application form |
Yes. |
This activity amounts to arranging. Articles 33B and2 72C will not apply because this activity goes beyond the mere provision of information to a policyholder or potential policyholder (see PERG 5.6.4AG2 to PERG 5.6.9 G). |
Receiving completed proposal forms for checking and forwarding to an insurance undertaking (for example, an administration outsourcing service provider that receives and processes proposal forms) |
Yes. |
This amounts to arranging. Articles 33B and 72C do2 not apply because this activity goes beyond the mere provision of information to a policyholder or potential policyholder (see PERG 5.6.4AG2 to PERG 5.6.9 G). |
Assisting in completion of proposal form and sending to insurance undertaking |
Yes. |
This activity amounts to arranging. Articles 33B and 72C do2 not apply because this activity goes beyond the mere provision of information (see PERG 5.6.4AG2 to PERG 5.6.9 G). |
NEGOTIATING AND CONCLUDING CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE |
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Negotiating terms of policy on behalf of a customer with the insurance undertaking |
Yes. |
This activity amounts to arranging (see PERG 5.6.2 G). |
Negotiating terms of policy on behalf of insurance undertaking with the customer and signing proposal form on his behalf |
Yes. |
These activities amount to both arranging and dealing in investments as agent. |
Concluding a contract of insurance on insurance company’s behalf, for example, motor dealer who has authority to conclude insurance contract on behalf of insurance undertaking when selling a car |
Yes. |
A person carrying on this activity will be dealing in investments as agent. He will also be arranging (as the article 28 exclusion only applies in the limited circumstances envisaged under article 28(3)) (see PERG 5.6.12 G). |
Agreeing, on behalf of a prospective policyholder, to buy a policy. |
Yes. |
A person who, with authority, enters into a contract of insurance on behalf of another is dealing in investments as agent under article 21, and will also be arranging. |
Providing compulsory insurance as a secondary purchase |
Yes. It will amount to dealing in investments as agent or arranging. |
The fact that the insurance is secondary to the primary product does not alter the fact that arranging the package involves arranging the insurance. |
COLLECTION OF PREMIUMS |
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Collection of cheque for premium from the customer at the pre-contract stage. |
Yes (as part of arranging). |
This activity is likely to form part of arranging. But the mere collection/receipt of premiums from the customer is unlikely, without more, to amount to arranging. |
Collection of premiums at post-contract stage |
No. |
The mere collection of premiums from policyholders is unlikely, without more, to amount to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance. |
MID-TERM ADJUSTMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS |
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Solicitors or licensed conveyancers discharging client instructions to assign contracts of insurance. |
Not where article 67 applies. |
As the assignment of rights under a contract of insurance (as opposed to the creation of new contracts of insurance) does not fall within insurance distribution45, article 67 is of potential application (see PERG 5.11.9 G to PERG 5.11.12 G). |
Making mid-term adjustments to a policy, for example, property manager notifies changes to the names of the leaseholders registered as “interested parties” in the policy in respect of the property. |
Yes. |
Assuming the freeholder (as policyholder) is obliged under the terms of the policy to notify the insurance undertaking of changes to the identity of the leaseholders, the property manager is likely to be assisting in the administration and the performance of the contract of insurance. |
TRADED ENDOWMENT POLICIES (“TEPs”) |
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Making introductions for the purposes of selling TEPs |
Yes, unless article 72C applies. |
Making introductions for these purposes is arranging unless article 72C applies (see PERG 5.6.5 G to PERG 5.6.9 G). The exclusions in article 29 (Arranging deals with or through authorised persons) and 33 (Introducing) no longer apply to arranging contracts of insurance. |
Market makers in TEPs |
Yes, although the exclusion in article 28 may apply. |
Unauthorised market makers can continue to make use of the exclusions in articles 15 (Absence of holding out etc.) and 16 (Dealing in contractually based investments), where appropriate. In order to avoid the need for authorisation in respect of arranging they may be able to rely upon article 28 (see PERG 5.6.12 G). |
ASSISTING POLICYHOLDER WITH MAKING A CLAIM |
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Merely providing information to the insured to help him complete a claim form |
No. |
Of itself, this is likely to amount to assisting in the administration but not the performance of a contract of insurance. In the FCA's view, the provision of information in these circumstances is more akin to facilitating performance of a contract of insurance rather than assisting in the performance (see PERG 5.7.3 G to PERG 5.7.5 G) |
Completion of claim form on behalf of insured |
Potentially. |
This activity amounts to assisting in the administration of a contract of insurance. Whether this activity amounts to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance will depend upon whether a person's assistance in filling in a claims form is material to whether performance of the contractual obligation to notify a claim takes place (see PERG 5.7.2 G to PERG 5.7.3 G). |
Notification of claim to insurance undertaking and helping negotiate its settlement on the policyholder's behalf |
Yes. |
This activity amounts to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance (see PERG 5.7.4 G). |
ASSISTING INSURANCE UNDERTAKING WITH CLAIMS BY POLICYHOLDERS |
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Negotiation of settlement of claims on behalf of an insurance undertaking |
No. |
Managing claims3 on behalf of an insurance undertaking does not amount to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance by virtue of the exclusion in article 39B (see PERG 5.7.7 G). |
Providing information to an insurance undertaking in connection with its investigation or assessment of a claim |
No. |
This activity does not amount to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance. |
Loss adjusting and managing claims3 (for example, by administration outsourcing providers) |
Potentially. |
These activities may amount to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance. Article 39B excludes these activities, however, when undertaken on behalf of an insurance undertaking only (see PERG 5.7.7 G). |
Providing an expert appraisal of a claim |
No. |
This activity does not amount to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance whether carried out on behalf of an insurance undertaking or otherwise. |
Jeweller repairs customer’s jewellery pursuant to a policy which permits the jeweller to carry out repairs |
No. |
This activity does not amount to assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance. It amounts to managing claims on behalf of an insurance undertaking and so falls within the exclusion in article 39B (see PERG 5.7.7 G). |
Table: list of general guidance to be found in PERG.
Chapter: |
Applicable to: |
About: |
Authorisation and regulated activities |
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Guidance on the scope of the Electronic Money Regulations8 88 |
a person who needs to know
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Regulated activities connected with mortgages |
any person who needs to know whether the activities he conducts in relation to mortgages are subject to FCA regulation. This is likely to include:
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the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with mortgages |
Insurance distribution13 activities |
any person who needs to know whether they carry on insurance distribution activities and are13,thereby, subject to FCA regulation. This is likely to include:
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the scope of relevant orders (in particular, the Regulated Activities Order) as respects activities concerned with the sale or administration of insurance |
Identification of contracts of insurance |
any person who needs to know whether a contract with which he is involved is a contract of insurance |
the general principles and range of specific factors that the FCA regards as relevant in deciding whether any arrangement is a contract of insurance |
Periodical publications, news services and broadcasts: application for certification |
any person who needs to know whether he will be regulated for providing advice about investments through the medium of a periodical publication, a broadcast or a news service |
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Financial promotion and related activities |
any person who needs to know
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Meaning of open-ended investment company |
any person who needs to know whether a body corporate is an open-ended investment company as defined in section 236 of the Act (Open-ended investment companies) and is therefore a collective investment scheme. |
the circumstances in which a body corporate will be an open-ended investment company |
Activities related to pension schemes |
Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to pension schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make.1 1 |
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Property investment clubs and land investment schemes |
Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to property investment clubs and land investment schemes will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make. |
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Running or advising on personal pension schemes |
any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes will amount to regulated activities |
the regulated activities that arise in connection with establishing, running, advising on or marketing personal pension schemes and any exclusions that may be relevant |
Guidance on the scope of the UK provisions which implemented14 MiFID and CRD IV12 9125 |
Any UK person who needs to know whether MiFID or the CRD and UK CRR14 (which allow provisions which correspond to14 the recast CAD to continue to apply to certain firms)914 apply to him5 9 |
the scope of the UK provisions which implemented14 MiFID and the CRD and UK CRR14.5 9 |
Home reversion,7 home finance and regulated sale and rent back 7activities 7 |
Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to home reversion plans,7home purchase plans or regulated sale and rent back agreements7will amount to regulated activities or whether the restriction in section 21 of the Act will apply to any financial promotions he may make. 7 |
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6PERG 15: Guidance on the scope of the Payment Services Regulations 2009 |
Any person with an establishment in the UK who needs to know whether the Payment Services Directive, as transposed in UK legislation by the Payment Services Regulations 2009, applies to him. Q46 applies specifically to persons providing payment services from an establishment outside the EEA to persons located in the UK. |
the scope of the PSD Regulations 2009.11 |
11PERG 16: Scope of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive |
any person who needs to know whether a collective investment undertaking is an AIF. |
the scope of the regulated activities of managing an AIF and acting as trustee or depositary of an AIF.10 |
Any person who needs to know whether his activities in relation to debts will amount to debt counselling. |
The scope of the regulated activities relating to consumer credit debt counselling. |
Table 2B: Insurance Distribution14Directive2 Activities/Examples14 2 |
Part II RAO Activities |
Part III RAO Investments |
|
1. |
Proposing14 or carrying out other work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance or reinsurance14. |
Articles 25, 53(1)10 and 64 |
Articles 75, 89 (see Note 1) |
141A. |
Advising on contracts of insurance or reinsurance |
Articles 53(1) and 64 |
Articles 75, 89 |
2. |
Concluding contracts of insurance or reinsurance14 |
Articles 21, 25, 53(1)10 and 64 |
Articles 75, 89 |
3. |
Assisting in the administration and performance of contracts of insurance or reinsurance14, in particular in the event of a claim. |
Articles 39A, 64 |
Articles 75, 89 |
144 |
Provision of information concerning one or more insurance contracts in accordance with criteria selected by customers through a website or other media and the compilation of an insurance product ranking list, including price and product comparison, or a discount on the price of an insurance contract, when the customer is able to directly or indirectly conclude an insurance contract using a website or other media. |
Articles 21, 25, (where this involves the provision of advice) 53(1), and 64. |
Articles 75, 89 |
Note 1. Rights to or interests in life policies are specified investments under Article 89 of the Regulated Activities Order, but rights to or interests in general insurance contracts are not. |
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14Note 2. Row 4 in Table 2B includes text that appears in article 2.1(1) of the IDD. These activities are not considered to be separate, discrete activities under the IDD but rather are included by way of an example of what constitutes insurance distribution. They have been included in this table for completeness, together with an indication of the Part II RAO activities and Part III RAO investments that may be relevant. This is to indicate, including for firms considering undertaking passport activities under the IDD, how these examples may relate to regulated activities and specified investments. |
1Typical recommendations and whether they will be regulated as advising on investments (except P2P agreements)3 under article 53(1)3 of the Regulated Activities Order. This table belongs to PERG 8.29.1 G to PERG 8.29.6 G.2
Recommendation |
Regulated under article 53(1)3 or not? |
I recommend that you take out the ABC investment. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of a particular investment which the client could buy. |
I recommend that you do not take out the ABC investment. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client away from a particular investment which the client could have bought. |
I recommend that you take out either the ABC investment or the DEF investment. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of more than one particular investment which the client could buy. |
I recommend that you sell your ABC investment. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of a particular investment which the client could sell. |
I recommend that you do not sell your ABC investment. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client away from a particular investment which the client could have sold. |
I recommend that you transfer ownership of your ABC investment to your spouse. |
Advising the client to gift an investment to another person will not be advice because it does not involve advice on buying, selling, subscribing for or underwriting an investment. |
I recommend that you increase the regular payments you are making to your GHI fund*. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of acquiring further units in a particular fund. |
I recommend that you decrease the regular payments you are making to your GHI fund*. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of acquiring further units in a particular fund but advises against the client buying as many as he intended. |
I recommend that you keep making the same regular payments to your GHI fund*. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of acquiring further units in a particular fund. |
I recommend that you stop making the regular payments you are making to the GHI fund*. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client away from buying units in a particular fund which the client could have bought. |
I recommend that you pay a lump sum into your GHI fund*. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of acquiring further units in a particular fund. |
I recommend that you do not pay a lump sum into your GHI fund*. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client away from buying units in a particular fund which the client could have bought. |
I recommend that you move part of your investment in the JKL investment from fund X into fund Y*. |
Yes. This is advice which steers the client in the direction of selling units in a particular fund and buying units in another specific fund. Where the two funds are sub-funds of the same main fund it is still advice. The terms ‘bought’ and ‘sold’ are given a wide meaning and include any acquisition or disposal for valuable consideration. |
I recommend that you move all of your investment in JKL investment from fund X into fund Y*. |
Yes, for the same reason. |
4I recommend that you keep your investment in fund X*. |
Yes. This is advice because it is advice to hold on to an investment and advice not to sell it. |
I recommend that you move your MNO investment from platform X and re-register it on platform Y. |
This is unlikely to be advice because normally it will not involve buying and selling the investment held on the platform. |
A client decides of his own accord to increase, decrease or temporarily suspend his regular payments or the payments are increased automatically into an investment without advice being given. |
No. No advice is being given. |
The firm is providing discretionary management services under a mandate and makes changes to a client'sinvestment without providing advice. |
No. No advice is being given. |
Dividends are re-invested into an investment without advice being given. |
No. No advice is being given. |
* The same answer would apply where the fund is a life policy as rights under a contract of insurance are regulated investments under the Act. The position under a personal pension scheme is similar, as explained in more detail in PERG 12.3. |