W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency Limited

Reference number: 306015

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Authorised, but in an insolvency process

This firm is under the control of insolvency practitioners and may have stopped taking on new business. If you are or were a customer, deal with the appointed office holders rather than the firm.

What the FCA says

ATTENTION - Firm in an insolvency process

This firm is in an insolvency process. It is under the control of the appointed insolvency office holder(s) and may have stopped taking on new business. It has to continue to meet our standards in line with its regulatory status, including when dealing with its customers. If you are/were a customer check how this affects you with the firm or the appointed insolvency office holder(s).

Identity

Check their details

Compare these against whatever you were given. Scammers clone real firm names and reference numbers but use their own phone number and website, so a detail that does not match the register is the clearest warning sign there is.

  • No website on the FCA register

  • Verified phone number

    01268 517200

  • Verified address

    c/o Jack Ross, Birchwood Bond, 170a-172 High Street, Rayleigh, SS6 7BS, United Kingdom

Company details

From the company's Companies House record.

Concerns on the company record

  • Companies House records this company in administration, but it is still authorised on the FCA register.
  • This company has insolvency history on record.
Company number
03425985
Company status
Administration
Company type
Private limited company
Incorporated
28 August 1997 (28 years old)
Registered office
170a-172 High Street, Rayleigh, SS6 7BS
Nature of business
  • Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified (SIC 82990)

Current directors and secretaries

Name Role Born Appointed
Heather Earl Secretary Not published 13 Mar 2020

Activities and protection

What the record covers, and how you are protected

  • In an insolvency process
    Money the firm held is returned through the appointed office holders, which takes time and can fall short. The FSCS covers eligible claims up to its limits, and the Ombudsman can still look at a complaint.
Show FCA detail (1 permission)
  • Dealing in investments as agent

Limits on the record

  • Restriction on placing business with, or providing services to, overseas insurance undertakings
    Business Restriction 1) The Firm must not carry on any activities, whether regulated or otherwise, in the UK, where those activities: a) are carried on for, or on behalf of, an overseas insurance undertaking; and b) would lead that insurance undertaking to be effecting or carrying out a contract of insurance in the UK. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes effecting new policies and renewing any existing policies. This restriction applies to activities whether carried on by the firm directly or through its Appointed Representatives. 2) The requirement in paragraph 1 applies in relation to any overseas insurance undertaking which, as a result of the activities of the Firm or where it would be reasonably expected for the Firm to conclude, requires but does not have FSMA authorisation to carry on insurance business in the UK. Transition Period 3) The Firm may, until 4 weeks from the Effective Date, continue to carry on certain activities on behalf of an overseas insurance undertaking (which would otherwise be restricted under paragraphs 1 – 2) where: a) these activities are in relation to policies arranged by the Firm that were in force prior to the Effective Date; b) the activities are limited to claims handling and mid-term adjustments where those activities are necessary for the relevant overseas insurance undertaking to carry out those contracts; and 4) The time period under which the Firm may provide the activities under paragraph 3 will be treated as extended by one calendar month or such other amount of time specified by the FCA where: a) the Firm has, at least 5 days before the date in paragraph 3 or later date pursuant to this paragraph, requested (in writing) consent from the FCA to extend this time period. This request must include an explanation of: i. why the overseas insurance undertaking has been unable to put in place arrangements to provide these services through alternative means whether by itself or through another person; ii. how the cessation of those services on the date in paragraph 3 (or a later date following the process under this paragraph) would result in material detriment to UK customers; iii. the steps being taken to ensure there is a reasonable prospect of the overseas insurance undertaking putting in place alternative arrangements and the time frame in which this will be completed; and b) the FCA has given its consent in writing, based on the information provided, to the time period being extended. Notification to Insurers 5) The Firm must, within 5 working days of these Requirements taking effect, notify any overseas insurance undertakings with whom it, or its Appointed Representatives, placed the relevant business or have arrangements under which they could place relevant business of the effect of the restrictions in paragraphs 1 and 2. Notification to Customers 7) The Firm must, within 5 working days of these Requirements taking effect, notify in writing all customers impacted by the restrictions in paragraphs 1 and 2, save for those subject to the exception in paragraph 3, of the imposition and effect of these Requirements in a form to be agreed in advance with the FCA. Record Retention 8) The Firm must secure all books and records and preserve all information and systems relating to the Firm’s regulated activities and must retain these in a form to be notified to the FCA in writing, such that they can be provided to the FCA, or to a person named by the FCA, promptly on its request. This requirement applies to information held by the firm and its Appointed Representatives. Definitions Overseas insurance undertaking: An insurance undertaking which has its registered office (or, if it has no registered office, its head office) outside the United Kingdom and is not a FSMA authorised person

Track record

FCA actions and complaints

No FCA disciplinary action, and no complaints recorded with the Ombudsman.

Previously registered as

The FCA register holds one earlier registered name for this firm. A registered name changes when a firm rebrands, and a partnership's changes whenever its partners do.

  • W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency Ltd

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency Limited FCA authorised?
Yes, W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency Limited (FRN 306015) is authorised by the FCA to carry out regulated activities. It is also in an insolvency process, under the control of insolvency practitioners, so deal with the appointed office holders rather than the firm.
Is my money safe with W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency?
W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency is under the control of insolvency practitioners, so money it held is returned through the appointed office holders rather than by the firm. That takes time and can fall short. Where money is missing, the FSCS covers eligible claims up to its limits, and the Financial Ombudsman Service can still consider a complaint.
Is W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency a scam or clone?
W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency is a genuine FCA-listed firm. However, scammers sometimes clone authorised firms. Always check that the contact details you were given match those on the FCA register before sending money or sharing information.
What is W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency's Firm Reference Number (FRN)?
W.I.S.E. Underwriting Agency's FRN is 306015. You can verify it on the FCA register.