The Insurance Council of British Columbia says it will not consider an application for any insurance license from Shawn Singh Kandola for three years after it was found that Kandola lied to the council in its investigation into his conduct where he referred business to his wife’s company.
“Council believed that the former licensee ought to have known that his conduct was not acceptable. In his submission, the former licensee claimed that his family has been in the insurance industry for many years. Council is concerned that the former licensee will repeat his misconduct,” the regulator writes in its intended decision.
Kandola was terminated by his firm for failing to disclose a conflict of interest after a customer complained to the firm about the services delivered by a vendor that Kandola would often refer business to. It was discovered that the vendor’s director is Kandola’s wife, the registered address of the vendor belongs to his mother, and the principal operator is Kandola’s friend. The investigation further confirmed that the adjuster used the vendor on 49 claims. The firm also determined that Kandola was adding additional charges to invoices.
During the course of the investigation council staff also became aware that his spouse had been employed with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. A search of the Insurance Council of British Columbia’s disciplinary decisions currently shows no other cases involving the name Kandola.
When questioned by council staff, Kandola said his manager knew the vendor was owned by a distant family friend and that he received approval to use the company. He also claimed the vendor rented his parent’s basement but could not provide the tenant’s name. Kandola also repeatedly denied knowing his spouse.
“The former licensee continued to deny his familial relationship with the vendor, even when presented with evidence. Council did not believe that the former licensee showed any remorse for the conflict of interest that he engaged in, nor did the former licensee demonstrate any ability to self-correct as he continued to make material misstatements to council staff,” the intended decision states. “Council was troubled that the former licensee did not display any level of trustworthiness and good faith to his clients, the firm and to council.”
In addition to barring Kandola from reapplying for a license for three years, the insurance council also says he is prohibited from acting as a shareholder, partner, officer, director or employee of any licensed insurance adjusting firm for three years. He was also ordered to pay investigation costs of $1,500.
