Complaint handling
Ombudsman promises overhaul of thematic reviews
The Financial Ombudsman Service has pledged to make better use of its casework insight and improve how it shares findings with the insurance sector, as part of a wider programme of structural reform.
Which? makes super-complaint against FCA over insurance failings
Which? has issued a super-complaint to the Financial Conduct Authority, accusing the regulator of failing to tackle persistent problems in the home and travel insurance markets.
FOS motor finance cases fall but still top complaints issues
The number of motor finance commission complaint cases referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service in between the start of April and the end of June dropped to 21,500 cases from 36,000 cases in the first three months of this year.
FCA and ombudsman to overhaul compensation system
The Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service have unveiled plans to reform the consumer compensation system.
Most complained about general insurers revealed
Admiral, Aviva, Direct Line, Axa and RSA were the most complained about general insurers in the latter half of 2024.
Rachel Lam named interim ombudsman MD
Rachel Lam is now interim managing ombudsman director of the Financial Ombudsman Service, as Jenny Simmonds and James Dipple-Johnstone temporarily step into the shoes of Abby Thomas.
MPs demand answers surrounding FOS CEO’s exit
The Treasury select committee has written to both the Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Ombudsman Service about the circumstances which surrounded the departure of CEO and chief ombudsman, Abby Thomas, last week.
FCA re-opens commercial lines rules consultation
The Financial Conduct Authority has “partially re-opened” its consultation about overhauling rules for commercial lines and bespoke insurance, in a bid to get more data from providers and brokers.
Wheels in motion for changes that benefit insurance customers
Following her attendance at inaugural meeting of the government's motor insurance taskforce, Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which, shares her hopes for robust action from the regulator to make the sector work better for customers.
Most complained about general insurers revealed
Admiral, Direct Line Group, Aviva, Esure and Axa were the most complained about general insurers in the first half of 2024, according to the latest Financial Ombudsman Service data.
Sorry saga signals signposting shortcomings
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes argues the regulator needs to check how and when travel insurers are directing people with pre-existing medical conditions towards alternative products and services.
Car and motorcycle complaints hit record levels
Financial Ombudsman Service statistics show a record number of new cases for car and motorcycle insurance at the start of 2024.
Travel insurance complaints hit highest levels since pandemic
The number of travel insurance complaints brought to the Financial Ombudsman Service has increased by 19% in the last year.
Which? demands action against insurers that are poorly handling complaints
Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at Which?, urges the regulator to hold the insurance firms’ feet to the fire for causing customers unfair delay or distress.
FCA demands insurers up their Consumer Duty monitoring game
With just a month to go until insurers need to file their first Consumer Duty annual board report, the Financial Conduct Authority has raised concerns about how providers are monitoring customer outcomes.
Abby Thomas, Financial Ombudsman Service
Abby Thomas, who joined the Financial Ombudsman Service as chief executive and chief ombudsman in October 2022, wants the industry to get better at communicating.
FCA to review how insurance claims are being handled
The Financial Conduct Authority intends to check claims handling response times, and whether insurers are doing enough to help customers in vulnerable circumstances.
Motor insurance complaints hit five-year high
The latest Financial Ombudsman Service data, published today, shows a spike in motor insurance cases caused by valuation disputes, customer service issues, and delays in payouts.
Ghosts of hollowed out policies come back to haunt insurers
Editor’s View: Emma Ann Hughes urges motor insurers to reflect on the error of their essential motor policy-pushing ways, and show the regulator and the ombudsman their willingness to change now.
Why customer satisfaction in general insurance is plummeting
Customer satisfaction in general insurance providers over the last 12 months has plummeted at the fastest rate since 2008, according to the latest Institute of Customer Service report.
Regulators unveil ‘clearer’ complaints procedure
The Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England have finalised a revised scheme for complaints about regulators.