17 May 2018

Insurers respond to report that incentives bad for clients

From Morning Report, 7:42 am on 17 May 2018

The Financial Markets Authority says insurance companies are offering their agents incentives that could leave clients worse off. In a report it says nine life and health insurance companies spent $34 million on bonuses for agents who met sales targets. The authority says as financial advisors, agents are legally obliged to act in their clients' best interests. But it's worried the incentives for selling new policies could tempt them to look after themselves first. Richard Klipin is chief executive officer of the Financial Services Council, which represents insurance companies. He talks to Susie Ferguson.