Accreditation committee

The Accreditation Committee is a standing body of the Association of Insurance Agents and Brokers. It determines how insurance market participants undergo accreditation with the association, the criteria by which their work is assessed, and how the results of accreditation are reflected in the open registry.

Objectives of the Committee

• Developing the accreditation procedure for insurance agents, insurance brokers and insurance companies.
• Preparing accreditation criteria for each category of participants: professional training, compliance with legislation, quality of work with clients.
• Organizing accreditation testing jointly with the Training Committee.
• Preparing decisions on the issue, renewal and suspension of accreditation certificates.
• Analyzing consumer reviews that have passed moderation in the registry, as well as client complaints concerning accredited participants.
• Analyzing the insurance market in order to keep the accreditation criteria up to date.

Goals of the Committee

• To give consumers and market participants a clear point of reference when choosing an insurance intermediary or insurance company.
• To maintain a high professional standard and fair practice in the insurance market.
• To ensure an objective, transparent accreditation procedure that is the same for everyone.
• To use consumer feedback to improve the quality of insurance services.

Regulations on the Committee

The Committee operates on the basis of the Regulations on the Accreditation Committee approved by the Board of the association. Key provisions of the Regulations:

• the Committee is a standing body and is accountable to the Board;
• the Committee develops the accreditation procedure and criteria and submits them to the Board for approval;
• decisions on the issue, renewal and suspension of certificates are prepared by the Committee and approved by the Board;
• members of the Committee do not take part in considering matters in which they have a conflict of interest;
• the Chair of the Committee is elected or appointed by the Board, and its members are drawn from representatives of the association's members;
• meetings are held at least once a quarter; decisions are taken by a simple majority of votes, provided a quorum of more than half of the Committee members is present.

The full text of the Regulations on the Accreditation Committee and the Memorandum of Cooperation with insurance companies are attached below in PDF format.

Structure of the Committee

• The Chair of the Committee organizes the Committee's work, chairs its meetings and represents the Committee before the Board.
• The Deputy Chair performs the duties of the Chair in their absence and coordinates individual areas of work.
• Working groups are set up for the following areas: accreditation criteria, review of applications, analysis of consumer reviews, market analysis.
• The Secretary of the Committee prepares materials for meetings and keeps the minutes and records of the Committee.

Reporting Line

The Committee is accountable to the Board of the association. The accreditation procedure and criteria, as well as decisions on certificates, take effect after approval by the Board. The Committee regularly reports to the Board on the results of accreditation and makes proposals for its improvement.

Role of the Committee

Accreditation is a way of showing that a market participant meets the association's professional requirements. The Committee ensures that these requirements are clear, the same for everyone and objectively verified. For insurance agents and brokers, accreditation is confirmed by testing and a certificate. For insurance companies, the Committee develops separate criteria related to their work with insurance intermediaries and clients.

The Committee does not limit itself to a one-off check. It analyzes client reviews and consumer complaints, studies changes in the market and, where necessary, proposes that the Board revise the criteria or a participant's accreditation status. The Committee refers matters concerning violations to the Disciplinary Committee.

Accreditation with the association is voluntary and does not replace licensing or other procedures established by legislation and by the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market. It is a professional assessment carried out by the community of insurance intermediaries to make it easier for clients to find their way around the market.

Information on insurance market participants, their ratings and client reviews is available in the association's registry.