Supervision ordered for agent who coached clients to hide substance abuse histories

After receiving a complaint alleging that Roman Kendzerskyy was recruiting clients from the recovery community and encouraging them to provide misleading information on policy applications, the Insurance Council of British Columbia’s subsequent investigation found some merit to the accusations.

In May 2023, the council was approached by an individual with a list of names which were later cross referenced to determine if any of the individuals were the licensee’s clients. The investigation confirmed that two individuals, along with one of the individuals’ family members were clients.

In one application, Kendzerskyy marked ‘no’ on the application for life insurance where the insurer asks if the client has any history of drug abuse, treatment or involvement with support groups. The client reportedly met Kendzerskyy, while he was in treatment.

“As part of the program, alumni who had previously completed the program would visit and build relationships with individuals undergoing treatment. MO stated that he met the licensee through that process,” the intended decision in the case states. MO cancelled the policy after learning from a friend that the policy would be void and his premiums lost once the insurance company was made aware of his history on death. 

The other client and his family were reportedly told to never mention the client’s daughter’s congenital heart defect. The council ultimately decided there was not enough evidence to support the claim. 

“Council concluded that it is unreasonable for the licensee to say that he did not know if MO had ever been treated for drug or alcohol use or been a member of a support group when the licensee knew of MO’s involvement with support groups. Council determined that MO’s statement that his relationship with the licensee arose from a support group was credible,” the intended decision states. “The licensee should have disclosed to the insurer that MO had been part of a support group.” 

In addition to a fine of $3,500, Kendzerskyy must also pay the council’s investigation costs in the amount of $1,887.50, complete an ethics course and be supervised by a qualified agent for a period of one year, ending in March 2026.