Clearview Life interim stop orders lifted

Mike Taylor

Managing Editor/Publisher, Financial Newswire

18 July 2023

ClearView Life has taken remedial measures and succeeded in having the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) lift interim stop orders imposed on the insurer earlier this week over design and distribution obligations (DDO) issues around its income protection products.

In imposing the stop orders, ASIC said it had issued an interim stop order on Clearview Life Assurance Limited’s (Clearview Life) Clearview ClearChoice Income Protection Cover and Accidental Income Protection Cover (Income Protection Cover) and that the order related to two underlying products.

ASIC said it issued the stop order because of deficiencies in the target market determination (TMD).

The interim orders prohibited Clearview Life from engaging in retail product distribution and providing general advice in respect of the product for new customers. The orders are valid for 21 days unless revoked earlier.

ASIC said it made the interim stop order in relation to Clearview Life’s Income Protection Cover to protect consumers from acquiring life insurance that may not be consistent with their objectives, financial situation or needs.

ASIC was concerned that the TMD failed to consider the impact of key eligibility criteria (i.e. age and minimum employment criteria) on the suitability of the product for certain classes of consumers. As a result, ASIC was concerned that the target market contained classes of consumers for whom the product was not likely to be appropriate.

ASIC is also concerned that the TMD does not specify any meaningful distribution conditions to ensure that the Income Protection Cover would likely be distributed to consumers in the target market and likely exclude distribution to consumers in the negative target market.

ASIC expects Clearview Life to consider the concerns raised regarding the TMD and take immediate steps to ensure compliance. ASIC will consider making a final order if the concerns are not addressed in a timely manner. Clearview Life will have an opportunity to make submissions before a decision is made about any final stop orders.

ASIC’s now 39 interim stop orders in relation to insurance products follows ASIC’s risk-based and targeted review of insurance TMDs. ASIC’s review covered over 100 TMDs for general and life insurance products. ASIC has also written to the Insurance Council of Australia, the Council of Australian Life Insurers and the Financial Services Council to outline the review’s findings and how TMDs can be improved. ASIC expects all general and life insurers to consider our findings and areas for improvement, and to update their TMDs and distribution arrangements accordingly.