COMP 1
Introduction and Overview
COMP 1.1
Application, Introduction, and Purpose
- 01/12/2004
Application
COMP 1.1.1
See Notes
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.1.2
See Notes
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
FEES 6
). It also describes how the FSCS is to calculate compensation in particular cases (see COMP 12).
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.1.3
See Notes
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.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.1.4
See Notes
Firms will be particularly interested in
FEES 6
, which deals with levies,
COMP 16 which deals with disclosure requirements for firms that accept deposits and COMP 17 which deals with systems and information requirements for firms that accept deposits.
- 01/04/2013
Introduction
COMP 1.1.5
See Notes
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.1.6
See Notes
- 01/04/2013
Purpose
COMP 1.1.7
See Notes
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.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.1.8
See Notes
COMP 1 consists of guidance which is aimed at giving an overview of how this sourcebook works. The provisions of COMP 2 to
COMP 17
cover who is eligible, the amount of compensation and how it might be paid, disclosure requirements for firms that accept deposits and systems and information requirements for firms that accept deposits.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.1.9B
See Notes
This sourcebook is one of the means by which the PRA will meet its statutory objectives of promoting the safety and soundness of PRA-authorised persons (by seeking to minimise the adverse effect that the failure of a PRA-authorised person could be expected to have on the stability of the UK financial system) and contributing to the securing of an appropriate degree of protection for those who are policyholders.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.1.10B
See Notes
By making rules that allow the FSCS to provide compensation at a level appropriate for the protection of retail consumers and small businesses, the PRA minimises the adverse effect that the failure of a PRA-authorised person could be expected to have on the stability of the UK financial system and 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.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.2
The FSCS
- 01/12/2004
COMP 1.2.1
See Notes
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.).
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.2.2B
See Notes
(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 PRA. This is covered in a Memorandum of Understanding which can be found on the PRA website [www.bankofengland.co.uk/pra/.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.3
Claimants
- 01/12/2004
COMP 1.3.1
See Notes
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).
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.3.2
See Notes
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.3.3
See Notes
Areas of particular interest to claimants (see COMP 1.1.3G).
This Table belongs to COMP 1.1.3 G .
| Q1 | What do I need to do in order to receive compensation? | ||
| A1 | 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 | ||
| Q2 | How much compensation will I be offered? | ||
| A2 | This depends on whether your protected claim is: | ||
| (1) | a claim for a protected deposit or a protected dormant account; 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 home finance mediation; 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 | ||
| Q3 | How will the FSCS calculate the compensation that is offered to me? | ||
| A3 | Again, this will depend on whether your protected claim is: | ||
| (1) | a claim for a protected deposit or a protected dormant account; or | 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;or | 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 home finance mediation ; or | 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 | ||
| Q4 | What happens if an insurance undertaking is insolvent? | ||
| A4 | 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 | ||
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.4
EEA Firms
- 01/12/2004
COMP 1.4.1
See Notes
Incoming EEA firms which are conducting regulated activities in the United Kingdom under a CRD , IMD or MiFID 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.
- 01/01/2014
COMP 1.4.2
See Notes
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.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.4.3
See Notes
The Deposit Guarantee Directiveand Investor Compensation Directive/s require the FSCS to make arrangements with the relevant Home State compensation scheme regarding the payment of compensation (COMP 14.3.1R).
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5
Application to Lloyd's
- 01/12/2004
COMP 1.5.1
See Notes
The PRA has exercised its power under section 316 of the Act (Direction by Authority) to direct in COMP 1.5.4 G - COMP 1.5.6 G 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 PRA 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 9A 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.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.2
See Notes
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.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.3
See Notes
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.
- 01/04/2013
Compensation arrangements for policyholders
COMP 1.5.4
See Notes
The insurance market direction in COMP 1.5.5 D is intended to protect the interests of policyholders and potential policyholders by:
(1) providing for the application of the compensation scheme in respect of contracts of insurance issued by members; and
(2) providing for the application of such other provisions of the Act as will enable the application of the compensation scheme to be effective in relation to insurance market activities carried on by members.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.5
See Notes
With effect from 15 October 2003 the following core provisions of the Act apply to the carrying on of insurance market activities by members:
(1) Part 9A (Rules and guidance) for the purpose of applying the rules in COMP and relevant interpretative provisions; and
(2) Part XV (Financial Services Compensation Scheme).
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.6
See Notes
Section 317(2) of the Act (The core provisions) provides that references in an applied core provision to an authorised person are to be read as references to a person in the class to which the insurance market direction applies. In particular, with effect from 15 October 2003, references to a relevant person in Part XV of the Act include a person who was a member at the time the act or omission giving rise to the claim against him took place.
- 01/04/2013
Compensation arrangements for individual members
COMP 1.5.7
See Notes
The compensation scheme will not compensate members or former members if firms are unable to satisfy claims made in connection with regulated activities relating to their participation in Lloyd's syndicates. Separate rules and guidance are therefore needed.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.8
See Notes
The Society must maintain byelaws establishing appropriate and effective arrangements to compensate individual members and former members who were individual members if underwriting agents are unable, or likely to be unable, to satisfy claims by those members relating to regulated activities carried on in connection with their participation in Lloyd's syndicates.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.9
See Notes
For the purposes of COMP 1.5.8 R "individual member" includes a member which is a limited liability partnership or a body corporate whose members consist only of, or of the nominees for, a single natural person or a group of connected persons.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.10
See Notes
The arrangements referred to in COMP 1.5.8 R:
(1) will not compensate losses arising only as a result of underwriting or investment risk to which individual members or former members who were individual members are or were exposed by their participation in Lloyd's syndicates;
(2) may be restricted to compensation for losses arising out of fraud, dishonesty or failure to account; and
(3) should cover all regulated activities carried on by underwriting agents relating to Lloyd's syndicate capacity and syndicate membership.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.11
See Notes
The arrangements referred to in COMP 1.5.8 R should have a governance structure that is operationally independent from the Society, but which is nevertheless accountable to the Society for the proper administration of the compensation arrangements.
- 01/04/2013
COMP 1.5.12
See Notes
A contravention of COMP 1.5.8 R does not give rise to a right of action by a private person under section 138D of the Act (Actions for damages) and that rule is specified under Section 138D(3) of the Act as a provision giving rise to no such right of action.
- 01/04/2013