The DGCCRF identified “abusive practices” and a “lack of transparency” in almost a third of the insurers, brokers and other mutuals inspected between January 2021 and April 2022, which led to nearly 50 warnings, precautionary measures and reports. he announced on Wednesday.
Of the 147 establishments scrutinized for the repression of fraud, “almost a third of the establishments failed to comply with the regulations regarding good information to the consumer or the fairness of commercial practices in this sector”, indicates the General Directorate of Competition, Consumption and Prevention of Fraud (DGCCRF) in a press release.
The DGCCRF points out in particular abusive practices in cold calls in more than a third (38%) of the establishments inspected. Its services have pointed out, for example, “that very old people, most of whom are already covered by supplementary health insurance, are subject to surveys by unscrupulous intermediaries who do not reveal their true identity and keep deliberately deceivers by maintaining confusion, for example with the insurance company of the insured”. Electronic signatures are also torn from customers after a single phone call, an illegal practice.
The completion “in three clicks” is not yet widespread
Regarding legal protection insurance contracts, it was considered that the professionals consulted were “little transparent”, especially in terms of information on the guarantees contracted, the total amount of the premium, the obligations of the insured or the conditions of termination . In addition, almost half of the insurers and brokers inspected “did not reimburse certain costs at the early termination of the contract”, despite their obligation to the client, adds the DGCCRF. As for termination, many insurers have also not yet implemented “three-click” termination despite the June 1 effective date.
In its latest report published in August 2022 and covering the year 2021, the insurance mediator reported a 13% increase in referrals compared to 2020, for a total close to 20,000. Many affinity insurance players, who offer guarantees linked to a product (smartphone, travel, household appliances, etc.) that you have just purchased, concentrate these bad practices.
More recently, the Prudential Resolution and Control Authority (ACPR) denounced the high rates that insurers apply to life insurance contracts, even compromising the profitability of their clients’ savings, without the profession having committed itself in the last weeks.
Source: BFM TV
