In wealth management, insurance brokers play a central role because life insurance is one of the investments most commonly used by French savers.

A COA supports clients with various wealth strategies:

• retirement planning;
• tax optimisation;
• wealth transfer;
• investment diversification;
• generating additional income;
• family protection;
• estate planning.

The professional generally analyses the client's assets, objectives, investment horizon and risk profile before selecting the most suitable contracts.

In wealth management firms, COA status is often combined with other regulatory authorisations to offer comprehensive support.

Many wealth management advisers (CGPs) hold insurance broker status so they can market wealth management solutions independently.

This status allows them, in particular, to work with several insurance companies and access a wide range of contracts.

A CGP can therefore compare:

• fees;
• investment options;
• performance;
• management options;
• guarantees;
• tax and estate features.

In wealth management, this independence is often an important distinguishing feature.

It is common for a professional to hold several statuses:

• CIF (Financial Investment Adviser);
• COA (Insurance Broker);
• COBSP ;
• a property agent or holder of the carte T.

An insurance broker generally acts independently and may select contracts from several companies.

An insurance agent, by contrast, acts on behalf of a specific principal, such as a company or another intermediary.

In wealth management, COA status often provides greater freedom in choosing the life insurance contracts or personal protection solutions offered to clients.

This ability to compare is one of the main benefits of insurance brokerage.

Yes. An insurance broker must be registered with ORIAS to practise legally.

Registration ORIAS allows you to check in particular:

• the professional's regulatory status;
• the validity of their registration;
• their professional indemnity insurance;
• their authorisations;
• their regulatory compliance.

As part of a wealth strategy, checking a professional's registration is an essential step before taking out any product.

COAs are subject to the French Insurance Code and European rules relating to the Insurance Distribution Directive (DDA).

In particular, they must:

• provide clear and transparent information;
• assess the client's needs;
• justify the proposed solutions;
• specify how they are remunerated;
• comply with advisory obligations.

In wealth management, these obligations are particularly important because the proposed solutions may commit a significant portion of clients' assets over the long term.

Using an insurance broker can provide more personalised support and a wider choice of contracts.

As part of a wealth strategy, a COA can, in particular, help to:

• compare several life insurance contracts;
• optimise the taxation of savings;
• diversify investments;
• plan a wealth transfer;
• structure a retirement strategy;
• protect loved ones.

Insurance brokerage is therefore one of the pillars of many wealth management strategies.

FAQ