Hong Kong's insurance regulator, the Insurance Authority (IA), has published its latest edition of Conduct In Focus.
On top of presenting latest complaints statistics and providing insights into trending topics related to conduct supervision of insurance intermediaries, it also looked at an emerging form of non-compliant arrangement and impact of fake news disseminated through social platforms and.
During the 1H2026, a total of 652 complaints were received. Despite a 10% y-o-y increase, the number remained relatively modest compared with the surge in premium growth across the market.
Calling ‘self-referral arrangements’ the “latest attempt at circumvention”, the report also drew attention to an emerging trend of interactions between an insurance intermediary and customer. The arrangement, which relies on a customer not fully understanding a product, may also include an intermediary arranging a rebate on premium for the customer.
The report also highlighted how unchecked rebates undermine fair treatment of customers.
This edition also shed light on the impact of fake news disseminated through social platforms and the possible real-life consequences should there be abuse of professional investor exemption.
The Insurance Authority’s latest edition of Conduct In Focus can be accessed here.