The Insurance Council of British Columbia published an order recently, fining travel agency Centre Holidays Inc. for failing over several years to ensure that its agents had a sufficient number of continuing education (CE) credits.
“The agency’s British Columbia agents sell only travel insurance, and as such are not required to be licensed by council,” the order states. “Nevertheless, council has set CE requirements for travel insurance salespeople, and it is the duty of the agency to ensure that its British Columbia agents are meeting their CE requirements.”
In conducting its investigation, the council interviewed the agency’s director who claimed the agents in question had attended CE sessions hosted by an insurer, but that the insurer did not keep accurate records. An interview with a representative from that insurer revealed that agents register for CE sessions online and a confirmation of completion is automatically generated and emailed to the agent when the session is concluded. The insurer confirmed to council staff that they had no records of the agents having completed their CE credits during the time period being investigated. A manager at the agency further claimed that her agents were unaware that they were required to maintain records of their CE credits.
“Council considered the agency to have shown disregard towards whether its British Columbia agents were meeting their CE requirements,” the order states. “Council was also of the opinion that the agency had failed to cooperate with the investigation in a timely and forthcoming manner.”
In total the agency is fined $4,500 - $1,500 for each of the three years in which it failed to ensure its agents completed their CE requirements. The order also requires the agents who were not in compliance to make up their missing CE credits no later than February 2020. Failing to pay the fine or ensure the agents’ compliance will result in automatic suspension of the agency’s license.
