Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to analyse and advise on a client’s general insurance needs in line with current Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) regulation (Financial Services Reform Act) in the insurance specialist and generic knowledge areas.
The unit applies to those who apply specialist product knowledge and well-developed interpersonal and communications skills in the provision of advice in general insurance.
Work functions in the occupational areas where this unit may be used are subject to regulatory requirements. Users are advised to check with the relevant regulatory authorities to confirm those requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Establish relationship with client and identify objectives | 1.1Establish knowledge level, objectives, risk profile and goals of client 1.2 Explain range of products and services available according to client objectives and goals 1.3 Outline fees associated with applicable products and services and explain charging methodology and relevant tax implications 1.4 Inform client of role of adviser and licensee or principal responsible for adviser’s conduct 1.5 Inform client of complaints-handling procedures 1.6 Collect applicable personal, financial and business details using organisational risk-assessment processes and tools 1.7 Respond to client enquiries as required according to organisational policies and procedures |
2. Analyse client risk information and identify risk solutions | 2.1 Analyse information from risk assessment process according to organisational policies and procedures 2.2 Identify issues that may require further consideration and seek specialist advice to address risks as required 2.3 Identify and assess available options using information from risk analysis 2.4 Conduct product research according to objectives, goals and risk profile of client 2.5 Prepare statement of advice for presentation to client according to client objectives, goals and risk profile 2.6 Refer client to adviser for higher level or specialist advice as required |
3. Present and confirm solutions with client | 3.1 Explain features of statement of advice to client according to organisational policies and procedures, legislative and regulatory requirements 3.2 Discuss impacts and possible risks of solution with client and confirm understanding 3.3 Discuss and clarify any concerns and/or issues client has regarding proposed insurance plan, policy and/or transaction 3.4 Confirm client’s preferred plan, policy and/or transaction according to organisational policies and procedures |
4. Coordinate implementation of agreed solution | 4.1 Confirm client agreement with proposed insurance plan, policy and/or transaction, incorporating all associated fees and costs 4.2 Explain timeframes for execution and processing according to organisational policies and procedures 4.3 Confirm proposal and other documents are completed and signed off by client where required 4.4 Exchange signed agreement and copies of required documentation with client 4.5 Create and update client records according to organisational policies and procedures |
5. Provide arrangements for ongoing service, where requested by client | 5.1 Confirm type and form of ongoing service is agreed with client, including review of insurance plan, policy and/or transaction 5.2 Explain fees and costs for ongoing and specifically defined service and confirm client understands all details 5.3 Implement procedures for agreed ongoing service according to organisational policies and procedures |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:
provide advice in general insurance to at least two different clients.
In the course of the above, the candidate must:
identify and analyse each client’s objectives, needs and financial details
comply with industry-specific legislative and regulatory requirements for general insurance
develop a potential strategy or solution that meets client needs
advise clients accurately and ethically about specific general insurance products and services and relevant tax implications
consult with client throughout risk-assessment process and obtain further clarification and information where required
finalise plan, policy and/or transaction, ensuring required documentation is completed accurately following organisational procedures.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:
General knowledge
organisational policies and procedures relating to providing advice in general insurance
characteristics of the economic environment, including:
impact of economic and business cycles
interest rates and exchange rates
inflation
government monetary and fiscal policy
operation of financial markets, including:
roles played by intermediaries and issuers
structure and interrelationships within the financial markets
interrelationship between industry sectors
financial products, including:
concept of a financial product – general definition, and specific inclusions and exclusions
types of financial investment products
types of financial risk products
Core insurance knowledge
operation of insurance markets, including:
definition of insurance product
characteristics of and participants in the Australian insurance market
roles played by intermediaries
types of insurance products, including:
risk insurance products
investment life insurance products
general insurance products
different aspects of insurance products, including:
conditions, exclusions and levels of coverage of risk transfer products
pricing
fee structures and charging methodologies
taxation issues in relation to tax implications regarding insurance products and markets
advisory functions for general insurance, including:
role of insurance adviser, broker or agent
participants in the insurance advisory services market
range of services provided
profile and financial information of the client
appropriateness of a risk assessment
ethical considerations relevant to advisory functions
legal environment, including disclosure and compliance covering:
role of representative and adviser
legal principles relating to key Acts relevant to performance evidence
relationship between ethics and regulatory requirements, including good faith, faith, utmost good faith, full disclosure of remuneration and fees and any other conflicts of interest that may influence adviser’s recommendation
relevant industry standards and codes of conduct
regulators’ guidelines relevant to the provision of advice in general insurance
resolution procedures for internal and external complaints
Specialist knowledge
key aspects of general insurance:
types and classes of insurance products and policies
standard cover and relevant deviations
product development
policy wordings
underwriting
insurance claims
premium rating and risk assessment
reporting
terms and conditions of general retail insurance products used by the organisation
relevant legislative and organisational compliance requirements, including:
legislation and regulatory guidelines affecting the provision of general advice
role of different advisers in the organisation
organisational policy and guidelines related to the provision of general or wholesale advice
details of relevant marketing and disclosure documents, including product disclosure statements and marketing brochures on the relevant products.
Assessment Conditions
Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.
This includes access to:
office equipment, technology, software and consumables
clients requiring advice in general insurance
organisational records
organisational policies and procedures.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.
SKILL | DESCRIPTION |
Numeracy | Interprets financial product information and completes calculations to achieve required outcomes |
Oral communication | Articulates and discusses product and service information unambiguously, using language appropriate to audience and environment Elicits information and confirms understanding using active listening and questioning |
Reading | Identifies and interprets textual information from relevant sources |
Writing | Records and consolidates workplace documentation using clear, specific and industry-related terminology |
Self-management | Develops and maintains knowledge of non-relevant financial products and of the required regulatory frameworks that define their use |
Sectors
ASIC