RACQ self-reports discounts breach to ASIC

RACQ has self-reported a regulatory breach to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) after an issue was discovered during a review.

The insurer says it found some of the wording in product disclosure statements was inadequate in describing how several of its discounts were applied to premiums, resulting in the breach report.

The statements had been corrected earlier this year and RACQ says it’s confident that in most cases, the premiums were calculated and charged as intended.

The issue was found after KPMG was initially appointed to provide an independent assessment of RACQ’s pricing mechanisms, while its scope was later expanded to include an ASIC industry-wide focus on pricing promises.

KPMG as part of that process also found that in a smaller number of cases, some members may not have received the full discounts they were entitled to.

“We have started a remediation program which will result in impacted members receiving refunds,” CEO David Carter says in a message to members posted on the website today. “Our program will be subject to review by ASIC and will be independently monitored by an external party to support our open and transparent approach to resolving the matters for our members.”

RACQ Chairman Elizabeth Jameson has apologised to members for the issues and says the group is investing in upgrading systems and processes.

“What we don’t know yet, but are working to understand fully, is the extent of the failure in terms of how many members it has affected,” she said.

Members will be kept informed over coming weeks and months as long-term improvements are put in place, she says.

“This will involve work over many months right across RACQ,” she says. “The main areas of focus will be in risk, compliance and oversight surrounding our product disclosure statement processes.”

A dedicated Remediation and Rectification team will manage the process.

“As a member-owned club, we take our responsibilities and obligations seriously and will use this opportunity to ensure our members are better served as we move forward,” Ms Jameson said.

“RACQ remains financially strong to deliver on its commitments and support its ongoing operations to serve members.”