Licences / authorisations
Insurance intermediaries are subject to supervision by the FMA and require a licence issued by the FMA to take up insurance distribution.
Insurance distribution covers the following activities: advising on, proposing, or carrying out other work preparatory to the conclusion of contracts of insurance, of concluding such contracts, or of assisting in the administration and performance of such contracts, in particular in the event of a claim, including the provision of information concerning one or more insurance contracts in accordance with criteria selected by customers through a website or other media and the compilation of an insurance product ranking list, including price and product comparison, or a discount on the price of an insurance contract, when the customer is able to directly or indirectly conclude an insurance contract using a website or other media.
Licence
The licence is granted if the applicant fulfils the legal requirements. The licence is granted for the exercise of insurance distribution in the form of an agent or broker for one or more classes of insurance and/or for reinsurance.
The application for a licence must be completed online. Applicants may then choose to submit the application electronically or by post.
Application for a licence: VOBT - Insurance Intermediary Online Licensing Tool
For further information please refer to FMA Instruction 2018/9 – Grant of a licence under the Insurance Distribution Act (VersVertG)
The following documents must be enclosed with the application for a licence:
Confirmation of professional liability insurance coverage under Article 17 of the Insurance Distribution Act (VersVertG)
Statement of good repute
Statement of full responsibility under Article 17(4)(b) of the Insurance Distribution Act
Approval and notification requirements
Changes to the information provided in the licence application in accordance with Article 8 VersVertG must be notified to the FMA or approved by the FMA in advance.
Pursuant to Article 12 VersVertG, the following fact patterns are subject to prior approval by the FMA:
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changes to the composition of governing bodies (board of directors and general management);
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changes to the employees who work directly in insurance distribution;
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expansion of business activities to other classes of insurance;
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change in the type of insurance distribution.
All other changes to the information provided in the licence application must be notified immediately to the FMA (notification requirement).
For further information please refer to FMA Instruction 2018/21 – Change to licensing requirements (change to licence) under the Insurance Distribution Act (VersVertG)
Cross-border activity
Insurance intermediaries authorised in Liechtenstein who wish to operate for the first time in another Contracting Party to the EEA Agreement or Switzerland under the freedom to provide services or the freedom of establishment must notify the FMA of this intention by means of appropriate forms.
For further information please refer to FMA Instructions 2018/17 – Cross-border activity under the freedom to provide services or the freedom of establishment