The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has issued a set of new reporting standards for the life insurance industry promising consumers better access to high-quality, comparable data on life insurance claims as well as the disputes process.
Member of APRA, Geoff Summerhayes (pictured) said the release of Life Insurance Reporting Standard LRS 750.0 Claims and Disputes would enhance the consistency and quality of life insurance data.
Mr Summerhayes said it had been published through a ground-breaking program established jointly last year by APRA and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
“The standard makes it mandatory for life insurers to report data on claims and disputes, and is a critical milestone on the path to delivering enhanced transparency and accountability through the regular publication of credible, reliable and comparable data,” Mr Summerhayes said.
“The regulators have so far released two rounds of pilot data on life insurance claims and disputes. However, participation was voluntary, and insurers did not interpret the reporting requirements consistently.”
He said the publication of such high-quality, granular life insurance data, at both industry and entity levels, would put APRA and ASIC at the forefront of innovation among global insurance regulators.
“This new standard, based on more than 18 months of engagement with industry and consumer groups, codifies life insurers’ reporting obligations and provides greater clarity around definitions and claims processes,” Mr Summerhayes said.
“The introduction of a legally binding reporting standard will improve the consistency and reliability of the data we receive, and guarantee it continues to be made available to regulators and consumers”
Deputy Chair of ASIC, Peter Kell said the enhanced claims data would help the regulators identify emerging problems, assess product value and take action to improve consumer outcomes.
“ASIC identified the issue of inconsistent and inadequate life insurance data in its 2016 review of life insurance claims and is pleased to be working together with APRA on this important initiative,” Mr Kell said.
APRA’s four-page letter to the industry, detailing the reporting standards, can be accessed at this PS News link.
