Italian Institute for Insurance Supervision orders blocking of four abusive insurance intermediation websites

The Italian Institute for Insurance Supervision (IVASS) has ordered the cessation of unauthorised insurance intermediation carried out via four websites offering insurance services without authorisation, and instructed their blocking by internet providers operating in Italy. Blocking activities are underway, with full implementation potentially taking a few days for technical reasons. The affected domains are beneassicurazionicaltanissetta.it, cincottipartners.it (including www.cincottipartners.it), assicurabergamo.it (including www.assicurabergamo.it), and visenta-insurance.com. The cessation orders are published in IVASS’s “Defendiamoci dalle truffe” section; the total number of websites subject to cessation orders since IVASS began exercising its blocking power in November 2023 has risen to 203. IVASS also reiterated guidance to consumers to use caution with insurance offers via internet, phone or instant messaging, particularly temporary motor third-party liability policies, and to verify before paying premiums that quotations and contracts relate to duly authorised insurers and intermediaries, including by consulting IVASS’s online registers and lists.