After an agent reported her supervisor for leaving blank signed forms for agents to use while the supervisor was on vacation, Christine Lynn Hewitt is being fined $3,000 for not conducting her supervisory duties competently by Insurance Council of British Columbia (ICoBC).
First licensed in August 2001, Hewitt obtained her general insurance agent level 3 license in January 2017.
The complainant, identified only as XY stated that Hewitt instructed her to copy signatures from existing client files, affix them to client forms and use them without client’s consent – a practice the complainant referred to as “frankensigning.”
“Council’s investigator was unable to find any documentation, beyond the complainant’s allegations indicating that the licensee had instructed the complainant or was aware of the practice,” the intended decision in the case states.
Hewitt did, however, admit to leaving the blank signed forms while on vacation. She advised the council that during her vacation she continued to work and was remotely supervising the level 1 salespersons in the agency. “The licensee stated she was always available through messaging and returned any calls within an hour.” This was later found to be true by council’s investigators.
Despite providing supervision, they add: “The licensee knew that leaving pre-signed forms for new insurance policies was wrong, but disregarded her duties for the sake of convenience,” the intended decision states. “Council found this practice to be an egregious misrepresentation to the insurer and determined that this practice is unacceptable under any circumstances.”
In addition to the fine, Hewitt was ordered to pay costs in the amount of $2,263.75. Remedial coursework ordered in the case included The Ethics and the Insurance Professional course, the insurance council’s Supervision Course for General Insurance Agents, Nominee course for General Insurance Agents and Adjusters and the Council Rules Course for General Insurance Agents, Salespersons and Adjusters.
