In wealth management, the agent of an insurance intermediary helps market insurance products used in wealth strategies.

They may help clients in particular with:

• life insurance;
• retirement planning;
• protection insurance;
• wealth transfer;
• financial savings;
• protecting a spouse;
• building capital.

A MIA can present contracts, explain how they work and help clients take them out. However, their degree of autonomy depends on the mandate entrusted to them.

In many firms specialising in wealth management, this status allows certain advisers to operate within the regulatory framework of a broker or principal firm that is already registered.

The main difference lies in the degree of independence.

An insurance broker generally acts independently and may select contracts from different insurance companies according to the client's needs.

A MIA, by contrast, acts on behalf of another intermediary and therefore depends on the framework set by their principal.

In wealth management, some professionals begin under MIA status before obtaining their own registration as an independent broker or wealth management adviser.

Yes. The agent of an insurance intermediary must be registered withORIAS to practise legally.

ORIAS is the official register listing professionals authorised to operate in the insurance, banking and finance sectors.

This registration allows you to check in particular:

• the professional's legal existence;
• their regulatory status;
• their authorisations;
• the name of their principal;
• their administrative compliance.

In wealth management, checking a professional's ORIAS registration is an important precaution before taking out any financial or insurance product.

The official ORIAS register can be consulted free of charge to check whether a professional is duly authorised to practise.

The register provides:

• the ORIAS number;
• the type of authorisation;
• the regulatory category;
• the principal's identity;
• the validity status of the registration.

This check is particularly useful in wealth management, where clients may take out products involving a significant portion of their savings or assets.

In wealth management, professionals often hold several regulatory statuses to offer comprehensive support.

A wealth adviser may therefore be:

• financial investment adviser (CIF);
• agent of an insurance intermediary (MIA);
• banking transaction intermediary (IOBSP);
• property agent.

MIA status allows certain firms or independent advisers to access life insurance or personal protection solutions without immediately having a complete brokerage organisation.

It is therefore a very common status in wealth management distribution networks.

Agents of insurance intermediaries are subject to the French Insurance Code and European rules relating to the Insurance Distribution Directive (DDA).

In particular, they must:

• comply with information obligations;
• act within the mandate entrusted to them;
• hold valid ORIAS registration;
• comply with advisory and transparency rules.

These obligations aim to make the distribution of financial and insurance products safer in a highly regulated environment.

FAQ