Civil Law Consequences of the Non-Adjustment of an Insurance Product by the Distributor to the Demands and Needs of a Customer

Abstract

According to the author, only in certain situations may the non-adjustment of insurance products to the demands and needs of the customer lead to the invalidity of insurance contract terms, or be remedied by the interpretation thereof in favour of the customer. Thus, the basic legal remedy which can be used by the customer in such case is to claim damages from the distributor. As a rule, distributors assume contractual liability based on the presumption of fault: in the case of brokers arising from brokerage contract, and in case of other distributors from obligations specified in the provisions of the Insurance Distribution Act. Insurers bear tortious non-fault liability for the activities of their dependent agents. Basically, clients may claim full damages according to the so called “difference theory”. In many cases however the damages will be restricted to the value of the overpaid insurance premium.