In a recent thematic review, the FCA found that price comparison websites did not always ensure that consumers were given the appropriate information to help them make informed decisions.
This is particularly important as the FCA is concerned that consumers’ focus on headline price and brand when using price comparison websites could distract from crucial product features such as policy coverage and terms.
By failing to provide clear information, the websites are increasing the risk that consumers may buy products without understanding key features such as level of cover or excess levels and purely focus on the price. While some websites did provide this information, the level of clarity varied significantly depending on the provider.



Pension Transfers – considering a workplace pension
Alistair MacDougall Compliance Defined Benefit, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, Switch, transfer
We recently reviewed a pension transfer report where the client was recommended to transfer out of the defined benefit scheme into the client’s pre-existing SIPP. We considered that the recommendation to transfer appeared to be appropriate. However, the client had what the FCA calls an ‘available qualifying scheme’, more commonly referred to as a […]