Marsh Group entities operating in Australia, and providing financial services to clients, all hold an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFS Licence) and pride themselves on transparency and compensation disclosure. The Marsh Group is committed to maintaining the standards for ethical business practices and client service.
As our client, we will always look to treat you fairly and put your interests ahead of our own. We will disclose to you:
- the role or roles we perform in an insurance transaction,
- a list of the insurers we propose to approach on your behalf and,
- any equity interests we may have in those insurers.
In common with many financial organisations, we provide a range of services to a large number of clients. We also provide certain services to insurers. Situations may arise in which the interest of a client may conflict with those of another client or with our own interest. Accordingly, we have policies and procedures in place to ensure that should such circumstances arise, they are managed appropriately. You can contact us if you would like more information about how we manage conflicts of interest.
You can read further details about how we manage conflicts of interest in the Marsh and McLennan Companies Code of Conduct – The Greater Good.
We aim to be clear with you as to how we are paid. As part of that commitment, we have created a Compensation Guide for Australian Clients — a publication that summarises our commitments to our clients, describes the types of compensation we might receive, and supports our continued commitment to transparency and compliance.
In addition, we have established a toll-free "Ethics & Compliance" line at 1 800 98 8007, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please use this number to submit any concerns or complaints you may have related to compensation paid or payable to Marsh by insurers or any other third parties.
Our Financial Services Guide contains important information about the services we can provide, our remuneration and is intended to assist clients in deciding to use our services.
Disclosure
Available here is information for clients and prospective clients regarding (1) equity interests of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries in insurers and (2) contractual arrangements between Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and insurers and wholesalers, on the other.
Our Compensation
As an insurance broker, Marsh’s role is to place insurance coverage for our clients. We are compensated in a variety of ways, including commissions and fees paid by insurance companies and fees paid by clients. Marsh may receive compensation through one or a combination of the methods listed below.
Retail Commissions: A retail commission is paid to Marsh by the insurer as a percentage of the premium charged to the insured for the policy. The amount of commission may vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of insurance product sold and the insurer selected by the client. Retail commission rates can vary from transaction to transaction.
Client Fees: Some clients may agree to pay Marsh a fee for Marsh’s services in lieu of, or in addition to, retail commissions paid by insurance companies. The fee may be collected in whole or in part through the crediting of retail commissions collected by Marsh for the client's placements.
Insurer Consulting Compensation: Marsh receives compensation from insurers for providing consulting, data analytics or other services. The services are designed to improve the product offerings available to our clients, assist insurers in identifying new opportunities, and enhance insurers’ operational efficiency. The scope and nature of the services vary by insurer and by geography. In the US, Canada and Bermuda, this compensation can be paid in the form of a fixed fee, a percentage of premium, or a combination of both. Outside of those countries, Marsh is compensated for these services through fees.
Contingent Commissions: Some insurers agree to pay Marsh contingent commissions when we meet set goals for insurance policies placed with them during a given year or other time period. The set goals may include volume, profitability, retention and/or growth thresholds. The amount of contingent commission earned may vary depending on factors relating to an entire book of business over the course of the year or period. As a result, the amount of contingent commission attributable to any given insurance policy typically will not be known at the time of placement.
Compensation for Insurer Administration and Other Services: Marsh operates certain panels, facilities, quota shares, line slips and other placement arrangements with insurers. Marsh receives separate compensation relating to the creation, management, and operation of these arrangements that is in addition to any other fee or commission earned by Marsh.
Other Benefits or Compensation: Marsh may, from time to time, participate in insurance company promotional events or employee training and development provided by insurers. Sometimes, Marsh is reimbursed by insurers for its costs related to promotional marketing. Where legally permitted, Marsh earns interest and other income on premium accounts, as paid to us by the financial institutions where insurance premiums are held prior to remittance to insurers.
Our Contractual Arrangements with Insurers
Marsh has agreements with certain insurers pursuant to which Marsh provides services to them and for which Marsh is compensated to the extent permitted by law and regulation in each country in which Marsh operates. Examples include captive management services, claims administration services, claims management software and associated services, mergers and acquisitions due diligence services, insurer consulting services, managing general agent and managing general underwriter services and insurance brokerage services regarding insurers’ own insurance programs. Marsh is also party to agreements with insurers that facilitate insurance transactions, including agency agreements, agreements to administer facilities, and agreements to operate internet-based insurance placing facilities.
Marsh also routinely enters into various types of agreements with insurers that are ancillary to the insurance broking process, or other services performed on behalf of clients. Examples include confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements for the release of data relating to insurance placements, claims handling and loss control programs, nondisclosure and/or noncompetition agreements relating to the development and disclosure of new insurance products and services, and licensing agreements governing access to and use of data management systems and databases.
For more information on Marsh’s compensation or Marsh’s contractual arrangements with insurers, please contact your client executive or account representative.
“Marsh Pty Ltd (ABN 86 004 651 512, AFSL 238983) (“Marsh”) arrange this insurance and is not the insurer. The Discretionary Trust Arrangement is issued by the Trustee, JLT Group Services Pty Ltd (ABN 26 004 485 214, AFSL 417964) (“JGS”). JGS is part of the Marsh group of companies. Any advice in relation to the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is provided by JLT Risk Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 69 009 098 864, AFSL 226827) which is a related entity of Marsh. The cover provided by the Discretionary Trust Arrangement is subject to the Trustee’s discretion and/or the relevant policy terms, conditions and exclusions. This website contains general information, does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs and may not suit your personal circumstances. For full details of the terms, conditions and limitations of the covers and before making any decision about whether to acquire a product, refer to the specific policy wordings and/or Product Disclosure Statements available from JLT Risk Solutions on request. Full information can be found in the JLT Risk Solutions Financial Services Guide.”