Alberta Regulation 224/2025, titled Insurance Agents and Adjusters Amendment Regulation, introduces updates to the Insurance Agents and Adjusters Regulation (AR 122/2001) under the Insurance Act. The amendments refine professional qualification standards, clarify definitions related to undue influence, and modernize administrative processes within the insurance industry. The regulation is designed to strengthen ethical oversight and accountability for individuals and entities engaged in insurance sales, advisory, and claims adjustment roles across Alberta.

One of the updates appears in Section 1(4), which revises the definition of when an individual is considered to be in a position to use coercion or undue influence to control or direct insurance business. The amendment now specifies that officers, employees, or independent contractors of deposit-taking institutions with access to client financial information are deemed to hold such influence. However, this does not apply to individuals working for special purpose trust companies or sales finance companies, nor to those acting under a restricted certificate. This adjustment acknowledges the sensitive nature of financial data while ensuring legitimate business roles are not unnecessarily restricted.

The amendments also modernize the criteria for licensing by replacing outdated language. Phrases such as “mentally competent” are replaced with “of good character,” shifting the focus from capacity to moral and ethical standards. Likewise, the term “convicted” is substituted with “found guilty,” aligning the regulation’s language with broader legal conventions and ensuring consistency across professional and administrative contexts. These changes appear throughout the regulation, affecting various sections related to agent and adjuster qualifications, renewals, and disciplinary considerations.

A major addition comes in the new disclosure requirements introduced under Section 5(3) and Section 21(2.1). These provisions significantly expand what individuals must reveal when applying for or renewing certificates of authority. Applicants are now required to disclose if they are or have been under investigation or subject to disciplinary actions under the Insurance Act or any comparable professional regulatory framework, in Alberta or other jurisdictions. They must also report any findings of unprofessional or unethical conduct by a governing body and disclose any existing conditions or limitations placed on their licence or equivalent authorization elsewhere.

Administrative refinements also improve regulatory processes. Sections 8, 9, 22, and others replace the phrase “apply for” with “obtain,” clarifying procedural intent and aligning terminology with current administrative practice. Section 29 eliminates references to the Accreditation Committee, transferring responsibilities directly to the Alberta Insurance Council. Corresponding updates in Sections 36.2 and 36.3 further consolidate authority, ensuring that the Minister’s department or the Alberta Insurance Council retains clear oversight over licensing and accreditation matters. This centralization simplifies governance and eliminates redundancies between overlapping committees.

Alberta (224/2025) November 4, 2025
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and do not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.