PERG 5.5 The regulated activities: dealing in contracts as agent

Article 21 of the Regulated Activities Order (Dealing in investments as agent) makes dealing in contracts of insurance as agent a regulated activity. The activity is defined in terms of buying, selling, subscribing for or underwriting contracts as agent, that is, on behalf of another. Examples include:

1. (1)

   where an intermediary, by accepting on the insurance undertaking's behalf to provide the insurance, commits an insurance undertaking to provide insurance for a prospective policyholder; or

2. (2)

   where the intermediary agrees, on behalf of a prospective policyholder, to buy an insurance policy.

Intermediaries with delegated authority to bind insurance undertakings are likely to be dealing in investments as agent. It should be noted, in particular, that this is a regulated activity:

1. (1)

   whether or not any advice is given (see PERG 5.8 (The regulated activities: advising on contracts of insurance); and

2. (2)

   whether or not the intermediary deals through an authorised person (for example, where he instructs another agent who is an authorised person to enter into a contract of insurance on his client's behalf).

There are also certain exclusions which are relevant to whether a person is carrying on the activity of dealing in investments as agent (see PERG 5.11 (Other aspects of exclusions)).