Tuesday’s “Industrial Deal Brokers Supervisory Commission” brings in what the industry agreement promises. As of the end of October, 87 complaints were received in the current year and 110 in 2021.
For comparison: Before the agreement went into effect in early 2021, health insurance associations Santésuisse and Curafutura reportedly received around 300 complaints a year.
The sector agreement was signed by two umbrella organizations and most insurers participated in it. The audit commission monitors compliance and may impose contractual penalties. It did so in four cases this year, according to the communiqué.
On the one hand, it was about the violation of the cold calling ban – that is, telephone advertisements for people who have never been or have not been insured for a long time from the relevant health insurance.
Violations of other quality standards stipulated in the industry agreement were also sanctioned. Among other things, it was about not registering a consultation properly and the agent sending the cancellation of the previous contract to the wrong insurance company.
In another case, brokers contacted customers via social networks and offered them tickets to leisure activities. According to the audit committee, it wasn’t clear enough that by entering the contest you were allowing a consultant’s visit.
Overall, fines and procedural costs for the insurers involved would amount to about 100,000 francs, he said. However, this year, 66 of 87 cases could not be filed due to lack of information.
Parliament is also currently dealing with rules for insurance brokers. In September, the Council of States, as a second house, passed a related bill. This, among other things, provides a legal basis for the ban on cold calling by phone.
The new federal law should also regulate the restriction of commissions. The federal parliament is expected to discuss this at its next winter session. However, the sector agreement will still be valid after the decree enters into force. It is aimed that the sector can set the standards itself at many points. (SDA)