It is important that you are aware of where the regulated boundaries are and do not go beyond them (please refer to ‘The boundaries of the service and of your role’ and the description of advice). Guidance should provide information and/or options regarding insurance, without making an explicit recommendation on a product.

Tier 1

9.1.1	Awareness of the purpose and benefits of insurance
9.1.2	Awareness of the main types of insurance products (e.g. buildings and contents, vehicle, travel etc.)
9.1.3	Awareness of different types of protection insurance
9.1.4	Awareness of national and local sources of guidance on insurance products, including comparison sites
9.1.5	Awareness of the importance of shopping around for an insurance policy and keeping insurance providers up-to date with changes to circumstances
9.1.6	Awareness of how to make an insurance claim
9.1.7	Signpost or refer customers to appropriate sources of information on insurance products, including price comparison sites
9.1.8	Awareness of scams and what to do if a customer has been the subject of a scam

Tier 2

9.2.1	Knowledge of a range of different types of insurance, whether they are mandatory, and their purposes (e.g. Home Buildings Insurance, Vehicle Insurance, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) Insurance, etc.)
9.2.2	Knowledge of ways in which insurance products can be purchased (e.g. brokers, comparison sites, supermarkets etc.)
9.2.3	Knowledge of how to search for insurances which may have been forgotten
9.2.4	Knowledge of insurance claims procedures including steps involved and likely timescales
9.2.5	Knowledge of the regulations covering insurance
9.2.6	Understanding of the factors to take into account when assessing whether or not to take out an insurance policy
9.2.7	Understanding of what counts towards the risk when taking out an insurance policy, and how risk factors affect insurance premiums
9.2.8	Understanding of the circumstances under which a customer may require specialist insurance and methods of securing this (including referrals to the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA))
9.2.9	Understanding of the different types of protection insurance and their main features
9.2.10	Understanding of the process of making an insurance claim
9.2.11	Understanding of how to make a complaint when something goes wrong
9.2.12	Understanding of the ability to use comparison sites to compare insurance policies and quotes

Further information

Here you will find further information to help meet the competencies in the framework and in doing so your customers too.

It includes relevant training and qualifications to the particular domain (identified by a mapping exercise carried out in 2019). These links are provided for your information and should not be interpreted as approval or endorsement of the materials.

It also includes links to further information on a range of relevant domain topics. Many of these links go to the MoneyHelper website, where you can get up to date information on most of the topics along with links to other organisations and sources of support.

This information is by no means exhaustive but our intention is that it will strengthen and grow over the course of the future programme.

We have put together a directory of further information to help you meet the competencies in the framework that will also support the people you help too.

It includes relevant training and qualifications for each domain (identified by a mapping exercise carried out in 2019).

The links to training and qualifications are provided for your information and should not be interpreted as approval or endorsement of the materials. Before signing up, it is important to check the credentials of the organisation if you are not familiar with them.

Things to think about include:

• Will you get professional or recognised accreditation?
• Can you get recommendations from your network?
• Could you negotiate discounts by grouping together with other practitioners?

Bear in mind this information is intended as a starting point and we plan to add further resources as we become aware of them to create a comprehensive database that will strengthen and grow as the programme develops.

Please do let us know of any training, qualifications or information resources that you use and think would help other practitioners by contacting us.

Qualifications

The Open University: You and Your Money (DB125)