FCA publishes feedback statement on Big Data Call for Input

The FCA found broadly positive consumer outcomes resulted from the use of Big Data. It can be used by firms to transform how consumers deal with insurance firms, allowing firms to develop new products as well as reducing form-filling, streamlining sales and claims processes.

The FCA identified two areas where the use of Big Data had the potential to leave some consumers worse off. Big Data changes the extent of risk segmentation so that categories of customers may find it harder to obtain insurance. The FCA is also concerned about the potential that Big Data might enhance firms’ ability to identify opportunities to charge certain customers more.

In light of the feedback received and evidence examined the FCA has decided not to launch a market study at the present time, but will take forward a number of measures designed to further engage with the industry.

Christopher Woolard, director of strategy and competition at the FCA said:

"The general insurance sector is vitally important, impacting millions of consumers so it’s important that the market works well."

"There is potential for Big Data to transform practices across general insurance markets, and some consumers are already seeing benefits but there are also some risks to consumer outcomes. While we have decided not to launch a full market study, we are undertaking further work in this area and with the Information Commissioner’s Office to ensure our rules and policies keep pace with developments in the market, but also do not prevent positive innovations."

The FCA found that Big Data can improve consumer outcomes but its use could also affect pricing practices. The increasing amounts of data from a wider range of sources, alongside sophisticated analytical tools, might lead to the use of reasons other than risk and cost in pricing becoming more prevalent. To assess how different pricing factors are used, we will start a piece of work to look at pricing practices in a limited number of firms in the retail general insurance sector later this year.

Some respondents to the Call for Input considered that there is the potential for Big Data to increase risk segmentation and consequently lead to consumers with higher risks being unable to obtain affordable insurance. The FCA carried out further review of parts of the GI sector and this indicated these concerns were not yet materialising. However, the FCA will remain alert to the potential exclusion of higher risk customers and will engage with government if concerns begin to develop because of how firms are using Big Data.

As part of the feedback statement the FCA has also reminded firms of their responsibilities to consumers, particularly ensuring that use of data is in line with data protection legislation and guidelines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The FCA will also be co-hosting a roundtable with the ICO later this year on the use of data in retail general insurance.

Pricing based on reasons other than cost drivers, such as risk, are also considered in an Occasional Paper on price discrimination and cross-subsidy in financial services which we are publishing today alongside the Feedback Statement.

Notes for editors

1. Read the Feedback Statement.[3]
2. Read the Occasional Paper.[4]
3. On 1 April 2013 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) became responsible for the conduct supervision of all regulated financial firms and the prudential supervision of those not supervised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
4. The FCA has an overarching strategic objective of ensuring the relevant markets function well. To support this it has three operational objectives: to secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers; to protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system; and to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers.
5. Find out more information about the FCA[5].