Importance of Ethical Behavior in Insurance Sector

The Insurance Institute encourages the highest professional and ethical standards in insurance and financial services worldwide.

The Council and membership of The Insurance Institute look to all members to meet these standards and to maintain the reputation of The Insurance Institute by following this Code of Ethics and Conduct (the Code). It sets down the principles which all members should follow in the course of their professional duties.

Members are obliged to comply with this Code. If they do not comply, this may result in the Institute taking disciplinary action against the member.

The key values which set the standards for the behaviour of all members in respect of the key stakeholders in sections 1 to 5 are:

(a) Behaving with responsibility and integrity in their professional life and taking into account their wider responsibilities to society as a whole. Acting in a courteous, honest and fair manner towards anyone they deal with. Being trustworthy and never putting their interests or the interests of others above the legitimate interests of their stakeholders;

(b) Complying with all relevant Laws (including the laws of the Institute) and meeting the requirements of all applicable regulatory authorities, and appropriate codes of practice and codes of conduct.

(c) Demonstrating professional competence and due care including:

Meeting the technical and professional standards relating to their level of qualification, role and position of responsibility;

Completing their duties with due skill, care and diligence;

(d) Upholding professional standards in all dealings and relationships;

(e) Respecting the confidentiality of information;

(f) Applying objectivity in making professional judgements and in giving opinions and statements, not allowing prejudice or bias or the influence of others to override objectivity.

Members should respect the traditions and cultures of each country in which they operate. They should carry out business in any country according to all applicable local Laws, Rules and Regulations. Where there is a conflict between local custom and thevalues stated above, the Code will act as a guide to help members act professionally.

A member operating in a professional capacity has duties, arising from these key values, to a number of different groups. Within these relationships a member should always act ethically and their behaviour and conduct should meet the following principles:

Relations with customers

Members will seek to earn and maintain the trust of their customers at all times and should:

• Give fair and proper consideration and the appropriate priority to the interests and requirements of all customers. Obtain and provide relevant information, including all necessary documentation and respect the confidentiality of information;
• Avoid conflict between personal interests, or the interests of any associated company, person or group of persons, and their duties to all customers;
• Avoid conflict between any competing interests of one or more customer(s), stepping aside in one or all matters if such conflicts cannot be resolved;
• Act at all times with due skill, care and diligence;
• Act only within the limits of personal competence and any limits of authorisation;
• Act in a financially honest and prudent manner, including ensuring the protection of any money and /or property held on behalf of customers;
• Act openly, fairly and respectfully at all times, providing all customers with due respect, consideration and opportunity;
• Be honest and trustworthy with customers and communicate with them in a clear, prompt and appropriate manner;
• Provide suitable and objective recommendations to customers;
• Comply with all Laws and Regulations regarding the supply of goods and services to customers;
• Not provide or accept money, gifts, entertainment, loans or any other benefit or preferential treatment from or to any existing or potential customer or provider, other than occasional gifts, entertainment or remuneration, which are provided as part of accepted business practice, and which are not likely to conflict with duties to customers.

Relations in employment

Members should aim to ensure good relations with their employer and employees and should:

• Avoid conflict between personal interests, or the interests of any associated company or person, and their duty to their employer;
• Not make improper use of information obtained as an employee or disclose, or allow to be disclosed, information confidential to their employer;
• Seek to be a responsible employer or employee and be honest and trustworthy at work;
• Act openly, fairly and respectfully at all times, treating other employees, colleagues, customers and suppliers with equal respect, consideration and opportunity;
• Aim to take every opportunity to improve their professional capability, knowledge and skills;
• Accurately and completely account for and report in employer records all business dealings;
• Not provide or accept money, gifts, entertainment, loans or any other benefit or preferential treatment from or to any existing or potential supplier or business associate, other than occasional gifts, entertainment or remuneration, which are provided as part of accepted business practice, provided this is not likely to conflict with any duty that is owed to their employer.

In addition, where a member holds a position of influence within an organisation they should:

• Provide, or encourage their employer to provide, suitable arrangements for the internal review of decisions, policies and actions where an employee raises concerns of unethical behaviour. (Employees should not be penalized for raising matters of ethical concern even if this results in a loss to the organisation or a customer);
• Incorporate, or encourage their employer to incorporate, ethical standards into the organization’s governance standards, including the development of an ethical code.
• Not disclose any employer/organisational confidential or sensitive information in written assignments.