Apply to become a general insurance intermediary

Find out how to apply to us for authorisation if you're a general insurance intermediary, Lloyds and London Market Intermediary or a price comparison website.

What to read first

The application process

Our how to apply[1] page explains:

our expectations of all firms
the application process
how to avoid delays with your application

You must read this page in full before submitting your application through our Connect[2] system.

Threshold conditions

Our threshold conditions[3] are our minimum standards for authorised firms.

You'll need to explain how you'll continue to meet each threshold condition.

Perimeter guidance

You'll need to explain how the permissions and investment types in our perimeter guidance[4] match up with your business model, and how you intend to hold and/or safeguard any client money or assets.

Our letters for your sector

Review and consider everything listed in the general insurance section of our supervisory correspondence[5].

Your application must demonstrate how you've addressed any areas identified in these portfolio letters that are relevant to your proposed business.

Our how to apply[1] page explains:

our expectations of all firms
the application process
how to avoid delays with your application

You must read this page in full before submitting your application through our Connect[2] system.

Our threshold conditions[3] are our minimum standards for authorised firms.

You'll need to explain how you'll continue to meet each threshold condition.

You'll need to explain how the permissions and investment types in our perimeter guidance[4] match up with your business model, and how you intend to hold and/or safeguard any client money or assets.

Review and consider everything listed in the general insurance section of our supervisory correspondence[5].

Your application must demonstrate how you've addressed any areas identified in these portfolio letters that are relevant to your proposed business.

Prepare your application

You must submit your application through Connect[7].

Along with your application form, you'll need to include:

a regulatory business plan
all the required forms
your supporting material
financial forecasts – learn how to prepare your your firm’s financial information[5]
your principal place of business – serviced offices are generally considered inadequate
a UK bank account for your firm
your Companies House registration details
client money accounts, if you propose to hold client money or assets

Regulatory business plan (RBP)

This is an important document that we'll use to assess your firm's activities, so please be comprehensive. We don't expect to see a generic marketing document. If your RBP isn't detailed enough and tailored to your business, your application will take longer.

Refer to our sample business plan[6] for everything you need to include, and make sure you consider the following areas:

Background	State the aims and objectives of your firm and why you're applying for this type of authorisation. If your firm is part of a wider group, explain where it fits in with the group strategy.
Business to be undertaken	Explain where your firm will fit within the market and how your products and services compare to competitors. This should include the types of business your firm intends to be involved in (including, for example, a customer profile) and how your business will be distributed. We also expect to see complete projected financials that explain how you will maintain your minimum capital requirements.
Governance	Provide an overview of your firm’s governance arrangements, including Board composition and any Board sub-committees.
Staff	Include an organisation chart that shows your key staff and roles, including all controllers[7] and close links[8], what business they conduct and whether they're regulated. Explain the rationale for the appointment and suitability of members of the governing board, the compliance officer and other approved persons[9]. Describe the background and experience of everyone performing significant, influence-controlled functions such as directors or senior managers.
Outsourcing	Think about what areas of the business are going to be outsourced and how this will be overseen.
Systems and controls / Risk Management	Consider how your firm will identify and manage conduct risks. Provide an overview of your firm’s financial crime controls, anti-money laundering procedures and due diligence processes.

Required forms

In addition to your main application form, please complete all the forms below, which you can also access on our Connect[11] system:

core details
forms for individuals:
- Form A for each approved person
- statement of responsibilities (SOR)
- CVs
IT self-assessment questionnaire – this will help you determine whether you need to fill in the IT controls form, detailed IT controls form, or neither form
fees and levies supplement – retail firms
supplement for firms selling:
- non-investment insurance contracts
- home finance only (this is uncommon for general insurance firms, but consider whether it applies to your firm)
- home finance and non-investment insurance contracts

Depending on your firm's structure, you may also need to complete:

controller forms
disclosure of significant events appendix
owners and influencers appendix
sole traders appendix

Supporting material

Along with your business plan and financial forecasts, remember to include your:

customer journey
conflicts of interest policy
consumers in vulnerable circumstances policy

We also expect you to provide documentation that shows how you'll meet the requirements[8] of our Consumer Duty.

Anyone at your firm who will hold a senior management function (SMF) needs to have sufficient insurance experience. This is important, and has been an issue with applications in the past. For more detail, see our Handbook[9].

Application fee

You have to pay a fee to submit your application. The fee is non-refundable.

Most general insurance intermediaries fall into pricing category 4.

Find out more about our authorisation fees[10], including our pricing categories and how to pay.

Final check and submit

Before you submit everything on Connect, give it one more check to be sure you've included everything.

Our how to apply[11] page has 3 top tips to ensure your application goes smoothly, and explains what happens after you've submitted it.

If you need more help

Please contact us on 0300 500 0597. We're open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm, and Thursday 9.45am to 5pm.

13/09/2024 : Information changed Fees category updated

08/08/2024 : Information changed Application fee correction

First published: 25/10/2023 Last updated: 13/09/2024 See all updates

Apply to become a general insurance intermediary

On this page

What to read first

Prepare your application

Application fee

Final check and submit

If you need more help

On this page

More on authorisation