Brokers have lobbied the Institute of Insurance Brokers (IIB) to take action after complaints that Ageas is preventing them referring claimants to outside claims handing firms.
Ageas caused the stir after making amendments to its Terms of Business Agreement which were put in place to help it control claims and prevent leaking to claims management companies and legal firms.
It wants brokers to refer third party claimants to Ageas.
The IIB will now seek a meeting with Ageas to resolve the dispute.
An Ageas spokesman declined to comment, other than saying they were in talks with the IIB.
However, Insruance Times understands other insurers are also deeply concerned about brokers setting up arrangements to seize the third party.
As well as the cost to insurers, there is also a feeling that it goes against the spirit of the relationship between broker and insurer.
An IIB bulletin to members says: “We have heard from a number of our members concerning the Ageas Toba recently issued to brokers. The main area of concern is Clause 2.9 which could prevent the broker from referring claimants to outside claims handling services and require the broker to refer all third party claimants to Ageas.
"Whilst there is widespread concern over referral fees and we appreciate that insurers are seeking to clarify their position in revised Tobas, the Ageas wording has particularly serious implications for the claims handling arrangements of brokers, especially in respect of motor claims.
"As we were not involved with Ageas at the drafting stage of the Toba, we have recently had discussions with them expressing our concern and a meeting is to be held shortly to take this matter forward. We shall keep you informed of any developments.”
An Ageas spokesman said they were in discussions with IIB.
