IAS (Insurance Intermediary)
IAS stands for “Insurance Intermediary”. It covers all professionals authorised to distribute, offer or advise on insurance contracts.
In wealth management, IASs play a central role because many wealth strategies are based on insurance solutions such as:
- life insurance;
- protection insurance;
- retirement contracts;
- borrower insurance;
- capitalisation contracts.
An IAS acts as an intermediary between the client and the insurance company.
This category includes several types of regulated professionals:
- insurance brokers ;
- general insurance agents ;
- insurance agents ;
- agents of insurance intermediaries.
All these operators must comply with a specific regulatory framework.
Dans cette définition
Vos repèresWhat is the role of an IAS in wealth management?
In wealth management, an IAS helps individuals and businesses choose insurance solutions suited to their wealth management objectives.
They may address a variety of needs:
- retirement planning;
- wealth transfer;
- tax optimisation;
- family protection;
- wealth diversification;
- estate planning;
- additional income.
As life insurance is one of the favourite investments of French savers, IASs play a particularly important role in wealth management firms.
The professional generally assesses:
- the wealth situation;
- the client's objectives;
- their investment horizon;
- their risk level;
- their protection needs.
Insurance Intermediaries (IASs) in figures
Insurance Intermediaries (IASs) include brokers, general agents, insurance agents and agents of insurance intermediaries authorised to distribute insurance contracts. As at 31 December 2024, ORIAS recorded 62 110 IASs in France, of whom 60,6 % operate as legal entities and 39,4 % as individuals. IASs accounted for 74 778 insurance registrations, including 26 953 brokers, 11 882 general agents, 3 233 insurance agents and 29 710 agents of insurance intermediaries. Registration with ORIAS is mandatory to carry out insurance intermediation activities.
Which professionals are considered IASs?
IAS is a broad regulatory category.
Insurance intermediaries may hold several statuses:
- COA (Insurance Broker);
- AGA (General Insurance Agent);
- MA (Insurance Agent);
- MIA (Agent of an Insurance Intermediary).
In practice, many wealth management advisers hold several of these statuses to offer comprehensive wealth management services.
A CGP may therefore simultaneously be:
Why are IASs essential in wealth management?
Insurance is a major component of modern wealth management strategies.
IASs make it possible, in particular, to implement solutions for:
- building capital;
- estate transfer;
- retirement planning;
- protecting a spouse;
- tax management of wealth;
- financial investment through life insurance.
In wealth management firms, IAS status is often an essential foundation for supporting clients effectively.
It allows insurance solutions to be incorporated into a comprehensive approach to wealth management.
Must IASs be registered with ORIAS?
Yes. All insurance intermediaries must be registered withORIAS.
This registration allows you to check in particular:
- the professional's regulatory status;
- their authorisations;
- the validity of their activity;
- certain mandatory guarantees;
- their regulatory compliance.
Before taking out any significant wealth management product, it is advisable to check the professional's ORIAS registration.
What regulations govern IASs?
IASs are subject to the French Insurance Code and the European Insurance Distribution Directive (DDA).
In particular, they must:
- comply with advisory duties;
- assess the client's needs;
- provide transparent information;
- specify how they are remunerated;
- act in the client's interests.
In wealth management, these obligations are particularly important because the products offered may have significant long-term financial and tax consequences.
Why use an IAS?
Using an IAS can provide professional support in choosing insurance solutions suited to your wealth strategy.
The professional can, in particular, help to:
- choose a life insurance contract;
- prepare an inheritance;
- protect loved ones;
- optimise the taxation of savings;
- structure a retirement strategy;
- diversify wealth.
As part of comprehensive wealth management, insurance solutions now play an essential role.
FAQ
An IAS is an Insurance Intermediary. They distribute or advise on insurance contracts for individuals and businesses.
Insurance brokers, general agents, insurance agents and agents of insurance intermediaries are all IASs.
Because life insurance and insurance solutions play a central role in wealth management strategies.
Yes. Many CGPs hold IAS status so that they can offer life insurance or personal protection contracts.