Annual Conference 2021

Breakout sessions:

• Morning sessions
  • A: Covid-19 and vulnerable customers: new risks and approaches [more details]
    The 2021 Conduct Regulation breakout session will focus on vulnerable customers, particularly in light of the recent Covid-19 situation. The session, which will involve a panel discussion with regulators and key industry figures, will assess the needs of vulnerable customers and consider the key new issues that have come into sharper focus following the pandemic. The session will consider the potential impact of the FCA Guidance on vulnerable customers, how expectations on industry might have changed, and how insurers’ approach to vulnerability is evolving. The session will also explore growing concerns over data protection, and the possible risks for vulnerable customers as a result of the increasing digitalisation of services. Format: Keynote speech followed by a panel discussion
  • B: Evolution or revolution: do we need to shake up the provision of protection and health insurance? [more details]
    Customer needs and behaviours are changing. Recent events have shown how volatile access to routine healthcare and a stable income can actually be. Awareness of our health risk and the need to protect our financial, physical, and mental health against the unknown is greater than ever. We have seen upheaval in the way we work, who we can see, where we can go, and what routine services we can access. That upheaval could also prompt an assessment of the way in which we provide protection and health insurance products to customers, demanding significant change to the way we operate. At the same time, Government is looking ever harder at prevention as a way to promote healthier lives and manage long-term health spending, whilst looking for ways to pay down its new sky-high levels of debt. This breakout session will be a debate, exploring whether • existing health and protection products are likely to meet the new needs and challenges of the future • or, if revolutionary change is needed to meet the changing needs of the UK population? Format: Debate
  • C: The role of public-private partnerships in protecting society from systemic threats [more details]
    Reaction to the Covid19 crisis has, amongst other issues, highlighted the dynamic nature of insurance markets. As markets harden, there is increasing debate about insurable and uninsurable risk as well as where the market ends and state support begins. In this vein we have seen the creation of a temporary government-backed trade credit reinsurance scheme and debates within the industry about the role of public-private partnerships in protecting society from future pandemics and systemic events. This session will consider what lessons can be learned from the industry’s experiences with Pool Re (created in 1993) and Flood Re (created in 2016) as we consider what role public-private partnerships could play in addressing the systemic issues exposed by the Covid-19 crisis or in protecting society from other systemic risks such as a widespread cyber-attack. Format: Panel discussion
• Afternoon sessions
  • D: Solvency II take two: post-Brexit reforms and opportunities [more details]
    In the second half of 2020, HM Treasury, the PRA and UK insurance industry began to formally develop proposals for how the Solvency II regime could be reformed in the UK once the Brexit transition period came to an end. Reforming Solvency II offers an opportunity to better tailor rules and supervision to UK firms, enabling them to improve their risk management, offer more affordable products to customers and increase their investment in the real economy. Some key priorities for the industry, and also highlighted by HM Treasury, are the Risk Margin, Matching Adjustment, the operation of internal models and reporting requirements. There is broad consensus that the Risk Margin is too large, too volatile, and inappropriate for long-term business, while the processes associated with the Matching Adjustment and internal models are overly burdensome. The questions now are: • what will be reformed and how quickly? • To what extent is equivalence a factor? • What role will international standards play? Format: Panel discussion
  • E: Value for money – who says? Governance, value and responsible investment in long-term savings [more details]
    Governance has returned to the forefront of debate in pensions. Renewed regulatory focus on value for money, ESG and stewardship policies, and on independent governance committees (IGCs) new duties, puts the “G” in ESG back in the spotlight. With investment pathways just implemented, and IGCs preparing to report on their expanded duties, this session will ask: • Do long-term savings markets have the right balance of customer choice, product governance and independent oversight? • Who is best placed to define what value for money looks like? • What social and governance considerations are customers most concerned about and how can firms take account of them? Format: Presentation and a panel discussion
  • F: How insurers can continue to provide product value amidst the Covid-19 ‘new normal’ [more details]
    Product value and fair pricing are key issues for customers, insurers and regulators. They are a core part of insurers’ obligations when designing, manufacturing and providing products, with customers expecting both good value and fair pricing as purchasers in GI markets. The Covid-19 pandemic has seen the industry face criticism due to products not paying out when customers expected them to. We are also seeing many GI markets hardening, with certain aspects of cover becoming more limited or unavailable. This session will explore: • The key elements to ensuring products continue to provide value to customers and good customer outcomes • The key challenges on pricing reform and adapting to these in the face of recent criticisms • The reputational challenges that can emanate from hardening markets. The FCA has also continued its work on GI pricing remedies, with the latest consultation closing at the end of January. Format: Keynote speech followed by a panel discussion