FOS ombudsman Allison Maynard says the failure to consider insurance before setting up an SMSF and transferring funds is one of the common disputes the organisation sees with SMSF advice.
Ms Maynard told SMSF Adviser in one dispute matter, an adviser had told a couple to set up an SMSF, and while the adviser was aware of the need to arrange alternative insurances, they had moved the client’s superannuation across before the insurances were in place.
“Those consumers ended up with insurance policies with higher premiums and with exclusions that their previous policies didn’t have,” she said.
“The clients ended up getting compensated for that [by the practitioner].”
Ms Maynard said in situations where clients are in their 50s or have health conditions, it is especially important for SMSF practitioners to look at the insurances held by the client with their existing superannuation.
“Clients may not be able to get the equivalent insurance so there needs to be attention paid to insurance issues,” she said.
