HM Treasury consults on amendments to insolvency arrangements for insurers

Written by Adam Cadle

20/05/2021

The UK government is consulting on amendments to the insolvency arrangements for insurers, which would enable authorities to better manage insurer distress in an orderly manner.

These amendments include clarifications and enhancements to the court’s existing power, under section 377 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), to order a reduction of the value of an insurer’s contracts (a ‘write-down’).

They would also introduce new provisions to help mitigate business disruption and losses for insurers in distress, and a change to the protection provided by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the event of a write-down under section 377 FSMA.

HM Treasury said: “These amendments would promote continuity of cover for policyholders by allowing earlier intervention by the regulatory authorities when an insurer was suffering financial distress, reduce costs to industry, and help maintain public confidence in the UK’s insurance sector.”

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