By Vincent Gaudreau, CIB, FCIP, CRM, Insurance broker/RCCAQ chair

Caution is advised. As a means of distributing insurance products, the Internet carries a number of risks for consumers. For consumers trying to grasp all the subtleties and nuances of insurance products as they sit all alone at their computers is quite a challenge. That's because selecting the wrong type of coverage could have terrible consequences for their family if disaster were ever to strike.

A certified insurance representative should ensure that the selected insurance product provides adequate coverage. By itself, a website cannot provide sound advice.

The RCCAQ would like the same legal requirements to apply to all actors, including price comparison sites and those operated by insurance companies or certified brokers. Standardizing the requirements would be fairer to industry stakeholders, as well as to consumers, who would be uniformly protected.

A storm was set off in the brokerage sector a few years ago when insurers were given access to consumers' credit ratings. In the same way, the ability to sell insurance online without the involvement of a certified representative would be like a tsunami for our profession.

If you are concerned by the issue of online insurance sales, it's time to make your voice heard. The time for action is now: together, we have everything to gain! Come and express your point of view at the RCCAQ's convention in Gatineau November 3 & 4. For more information.

Meanwhile, I urge you to read our legal article on the worrisome impacts of online insurance sales. You'll find it in the October issue of Liaison magazine, which is now available digitally for the very first time.

Please feel free to get involved by sharing with us the issues that concern you most and the steps you're willing to take.

Please email your feedback to us at communications@rccaq.com.