Introduction and Overview

Part

COMP Compensation Sourcebook

Chapter

Introduction and Overview

Printed on: 05/07/2024

Rulebook at: 14/01/2005

COMP 1

Introduction and Overview

COMP 1.1

Application, Introduction, and Purpose

01/12/2004

Application

COMP 1.1.1

This chapter is relevant to:

(1) the FSCS;

(2) eligible claimants; and

(3) firms.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.1.2

This sourcebook is principally relevant to the FSCS. It sets out the circumstances in which compensation may be paid, to whom compensation may be paid, and on whom the FSCS can impose levies to meet the costs of paying compensation (see in particular COMP 3, 4, and 13). It also describes how the FSCS is to calculate compensation in particular cases (see COMP 12).

01/12/2001

COMP 1.1.3

Claimants and their advisers will be particularly interested in the sections of this sourcebook which deal with eligibility for claiming compensation, the way that the FSCS calculates compensation, and how they can make a claim. For convenience, the relevant parts of this sourcebook are highlighted in a list of questions and answers in COMP 1.3.3 G.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.1.4

Firms will be particularly interested in COMP 13, which deals with levies.

01/12/2001

Introduction

COMP 1.1.5

Under section 212 of the Act (The scheme manager), the FSA must establish a body corporate to exercise the functions that are conferred on that body corporateby Part XV of the Act, dealing with compensation. This body is the Financial Services Compensation Scheme Limited, a company limited by guarantee (FSCS).

01/12/2001

COMP 1.1.6

The FSA is also required, under section 213 of the Act (The compensation scheme), to make rules establishing a compensation scheme. These rules are set out in the remaining chapters of this sourcebook, and are directed to the FSCS, claimants and potential claimants, and firms.

01/12/2001

Purpose

COMP 1.1.7

The FSCS will only pay claims if a firm is unable or likely to be unable to meet claims against it because of its financial circumstances. If a firm is still trading and has sufficient financial resources to satisfy a claim, the firm will be expected to meet the claim itself. This can, for example, be an amount the firm agrees with the claimant, or the amount of an Ombudsman award from the Financial Ombudsman Service.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.1.8

COMP 1 consists of guidance which is aimed at giving an overview of how this sourcebook works. The provisions of COMP 2-14 cover who is eligible, the amount of compensation and how it might be paid, and the ways in which the activities of the FSCS are to be financed.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.1.9

This sourcebook is one of the means by which the FSA will meet its regulatory objectives of securing the appropriate degree of protection for consumers and maintaining confidence in the financial system.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.1.10

By setting up the FSCS and making rules that allow the FSCS to provide compensation at a level appropriate for the protection of retail consumers and small businesses, the FSA enables consumers to participate in the financial markets with the confidence that they will be protected, at least in part, should the relevant person with whom they are dealing be unable to satisfy claims against it.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.2

The FSCS

01/12/2004

COMP 1.2.1

While this sourcebook deals with the main powers and duties of the FSCS, it does not provide the complete picture. Other aspects of the operation of the FSCS are dealt with through the powers of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme Limited under company law (such as the power to borrow, to take on premises, etc.).

01/12/2001

COMP 1.2.2

(1) In addition, the Act itself confers certain powers upon the FSCS, such as a power under section 219 of the Act (Scheme Manager's powers to require information) to require persons to provide information. These powers are not, therefore, covered by this sourcebook.

(2) Of specific relevance to the way in which the FSCS fulfils its responsibilities is the relationship between the FSCS and the FSA. This is covered in a Memorandum of Understanding which can be found on the FSA website www.fsa.gov.uk.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.3

Claimants

01/12/2004

COMP 1.3.1

The FSCS also provides information to claimants and potential claimants about the way the FSCS works and the procedures that need to be followed when making a claim. The FSCS can be contacted at 7th Floor, Lloyds Chambers, 1 Portsoken Street, London E1 8BN, or by telephone or fax (Tel: 020 7892 7300 or Fax: 020 7892 7301), or by e-mail (enquiries@fscs.org.uk).

01/12/2001

COMP 1.3.2

Information about the operation of the FSCS and how to claim is also available from the FSCS website (www.fscs.org.uk).

01/12/2001

COMP 1.3.3

Areas of particular interest to claimants (see COMP 1.1.3G).

This Table belongs to COMP 1.3.3 COMP 1.1.3 G .

What do I need to do in order to receive compensation?

In order to receive compensation:

(1)

you must be an eligible claimant;

COMP 4.2

(2)

you must have a protected claim;

COMP 5.2

(3)

you must be claiming against a relevant person;

COMP 6.2.1 R

(4)

the relevant person must be in default.

COMP 6.3

In addition, if the FSCS requires you to do so, you must assign your legal rights in the claim to the FSCS.

COMP 7.2

And you must bring your claim to the FSCS within a set time (normally within six years of the date on which your claim against the relevant person occurred).

COMP 8.2.3 R - COMP 8.2.5 R

It is possible, in certain circumstances, for someone else to make a claim on your behalf.

COMP 3.2.2 R

How much compensation will I be offered?

This depends on whether your protected claim is:

(1)

a claim for a protected deposit; or

COMP 5.3

(2)

a claim under a protected contract of insurance; or

COMP 5.4

(3)

a claim in connection with protected investment business; or

COMP 5.5

(4)

a claim in connection with protected mortgage business; or

COMP 5.6

(5)

a claim in connection with protected non-investment insurance mediation.

COMP 5.7

Different limits apply to different types of claim.

COMP 10.2.3 R

How will the FSCS calculate the compensation that is offered to me?

Again, this will depend on whether your protected claim is a:

(1)

a claim for a protected deposit;

COMP 12.2.1 R, COMP 12.3.1 R and COMP 12.4.1 R

(2)

a claim under a protected contract of insurance;

COMP 12.2.1 R, COMP 12.3.2 R and COMP 12.4.9 R

(3)

a claim in connection with protected investment business; or

COMP 12.2.1 R, COMP 12.3.5 R and COMP 12.4.2 R

(4)

a claim in connection with protected mortgage business.

COMP 12.4.17 R

(5)

a claim in connection with protected non-investment insurance mediation.

COMP 12.4.20 R

Certain types of protected investment business claim require the FSCS to use a particular method of calculation.

COMP 12.4.5 R

What happens if an insurance undertaking is insolvent?

If you have a long-term insurance contract which is not a reinsurance contract with an insolvent insurance undertaking, the FSCS will first try to secure continuity of insurance for you.

COMP 3.3, COMP 11.2.3 R and COMP 12.4.11 R

If the FSCS achieves this, you will not necessarily receive any cash, but you will continue to be insured (though possibly with lower benefits than before).

COMP 3.3 and COMP 11.2.3 R.

You will receive cash compensation only if the FSCS cannot secure continuity of insurance cover or the cost of doing so would be unreasonable.

COMP 3.3.1 R and COMP 11.2.1 R

If you have a relevant general insurance contract which is not a reinsurance contract with an insolvent insurance undertaking, the FSCS will pay you cash compensation if it is unable to secure continuity of insurance cover or the cost of doing so would be unreasonable.

COMP 3.2.1 R and COMP 11.2.3 R

If the insurance undertaking is in "financial difficulties", the FSCS may try to arrange for another insurance undertaking to take over the business, or provide the insurance undertaking with financial assistance to carry on business. If this occurs, you will not receive cash compensation, but your policy will continue (though possibly with lower benefits than before).

COMP 3.3.3 R and COMP 11.2.3 R

31/10/2004

COMP 1.4

EEA Firms

01/12/2004

COMP 1.4.1

Incoming EEA firms which are conducting regulated activities in the United Kingdom under a BCD , IMD, ISD or UCITS Directive passport are not required to participate in the compensation scheme in relation to those passported activities. They may apply to obtain the cover of, or 'top-up' into, the compensation scheme if there is no cover provided by the incoming EEA firm's Home State compensation scheme or if the level or scope of the cover is less than that provided by the compensation scheme. This is covered by COMP 14.

13/02/2004

COMP 1.4.2

If an incoming EEA firm "tops-up", and then becomes insolvent, the Home State compensation scheme will pay compensation for claims up to the limit and scope of the Home State compensation scheme, with the FSCS paying compensation for the additional amount in accordance with the provisions in this sourcebook.

01/12/2001

COMP 1.4.3

The DGDand ICD require the FSCS to make arrangements with the relevant Home State compensation scheme regarding the payment of compensation (COMP 14.3.1R).

01/12/2001

COMP 1.5

Application to Lloyd's

01/12/2004

COMP 1.5.1

The FSA has exercised its power under section 316 of the Act (Direction by Authority) to direct in LLD 8A (Compensation Arrangements for policyholders) that certain core provisions in the Act should apply to members of the Society of Lloyd's (an "insurance market direction"). The effect of the direction is that the FSA may, in relation to members, and in respect of insurance market activities carried on by them, exercise any of the statutory powers conferred by the provisions which are applied by the direction. Those include the powers in Part X to make general rules and give guidance and also the powers in Part XV to make rules for the establishment and operation of a compensation scheme. Accordingly this sourcebook makes provision for the payment of compensation by the FSCS in certain cases arising from insurance business carried on by members, and for raising levies on the Society.

01/01/2004

COMP 1.5.2

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this sourcebook, in relation to the Society, members and Lloyd's policies FSCS must act, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that:

(1) Eligible claimants have protection under this sourcebook in relation to Lloyd's policies equivalent to that otherwise afforded to eligible claimants by the FSCS;

(2) FSCS does not meet claims in relation to Lloyd's policies unless the Central Fund is unlikely to be able to meet them;

(3) Claims against members under the compensation scheme which arise from the same loss under the same Lloyd's policy must be treated as a single claim;

(4) any recovery resulting from the exercise of any rights assigned to the FSCS in connection with the payment of compensation to an eligible claimant, is treated by the FSCS in accordance with COMP 7.2.4 R, and any such recovery which is not paid to the claimant in accordance with that rule, is used for the benefit of FSCS in priority to any interest that the Society may have.

01/01/2004

COMP 1.5.3

The effect of COMP 1.5.2 R(4) and COMP 7.2.4A R, and subject to COMP 7.2.4 R(2), is that any recovery obtained by FSCS is retained by FSCS up to an amount equal to the cost to FSCS of paying compensation. To the extent that the Society is entitled to any part of the recovery (for example by agreement with FSCS) it is only paid out of any excess up to a maximum amount equal to that paid out of the Central Fund. Any recovery in excess of the compensation (including payment from the Central Fund) received by the policyholder is paid to the claimant in accordance with COMP 7.2.4 R regardless of whether the Society receives the full amount paid from the Central Fund.

01/01/2004