Qlara Assurance claims a commission-free model from companies, focused on the interests of the client. Since the end of 2025, the French regulatory framework has tightened the obligations on intermediaries, which changes the concrete criteria to examine before entrusting the management of contracts.
Ongoing advisory duty: what the 2025 regulatory framework changes for policyholders
Coverage optimization, independence, tailored support: the sales arguments of insurance brokers largely overlap. The regulatory framework that came into effect on December 31, 2025 now imposes a continuous advisory duty, with traceability of each file review.
In practical terms, a broker can no longer be satisfied with advice at the time of subscription. They must document the proposed coverage adjustments during the life of the contract, prove that they have reassessed the client’s needs, and archive each significant exchange.
For a firm like Qlara Conseil, which has renounced commissions paid by insurers, this obligation reinforces the consistency of its positioning. The model is based on fees paid directly by the client, which eliminates the classic conflict of interest. When regulatory follow-up requires regular review, the absence of remuneration from the insurer aligns the advice with the actual interest of the policyholder.
To delve deeper into this positioning and its concrete implications, Qlara Assurance’s solutions on Credits and Investments detail how the commission-free model is applied to businesses.
Broker remuneration: comparison of models in 2026
The way an intermediary is compensated determines the nature of the advice given. Three models coexist in the French market. The table below summarizes their characteristics.
| Remuneration model | Payment source | Conflict of interest risk | Advisory traceability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurer commissions | Insurance company | High (incentive to place certain contracts) | Variable by firm |
| Client fees (Qlara model) | Client directly | Low (no financial link with the insurer) | Integrated into contractual follow-up |
| Mixed model | Commissions + management fees | Moderate (dual source, partial transparency) | Depends on internal policy |
The fee-based model remains a minority in France. Qlara Conseil claims it as a structuring choice: renouncing commissions eliminates the incentive to over-insure or steer towards a more profitable product. However, this model implies a visible cost for the client, whereas commissions are integrated into the premium and thus less perceptible.
What the client actually pays in each model
In a classic commission-based scheme, the cost of brokerage is buried in the insurance premium. The client does not know what portion goes to the intermediary. Since the IDD (Insurance Distribution Directive), the broker must inform the client about the nature of their remuneration, but not always the exact amount.
With direct fees, the amount is contractually set. The client knows the exact price of the support, regardless of the volume of premiums subscribed. This clarity facilitates comparison between providers.
Continuing education for brokers: a verifiable criterion for the policyholder
The IDD requires at least 15 hours of professional training per year for anyone distributing insurance products. This obligation, transposed into French law in the Insurance Code, applies to both brokers and their commercial collaborators.
However, this framework is often absent from most sales pitches. A policyholder can ask their broker for proof of compliance with this obligation. In practice, structured firms integrate this training into their annual plan, covering topics such as AML-CTF compliance, product developments, or claims management.
- Check that the broker can provide an annual training certificate compliant with the IDD
- Ensure that the collaborators in direct contact with the client are also trained (not just the manager)
- Ask what topics recent trainings cover: a firm that trains on current regulations adapts its recommendations better
This point is not trivial. A broker who does not comply with their training obligations is exposed to sanctions from the ACPR, and their client risks receiving outdated advice.
Outsourced management of insurance contracts: points of vigilance for SMEs
The model proposed by Qlara Conseil specifically targets SMEs that do not have an internal insurance manager. Complete outsourcing of insurance file management requires a relationship of trust, but also contractual safeguards.
- The management scope must be defined in writing: which contracts are covered, which decisions require client validation, what is the response time in case of a claim
- The frequency of coverage reviews must meet current regulatory requirements (at least annually, ideally semi-annually for evolving activities)
- The conditions for terminating the management mandate must allow the client to retrieve their entire file without hidden fees
- Direct access to contractual documents must remain guaranteed to the client, even when management is delegated
Xavier Lassalle, founder of Qlara Conseil, has worked for over 20 years as an agent and broker. The observation that led to the establishment of the firm: many SMEs suffer from inadequate coverage and a constantly rising budget due to lack of regular oversight.
Declared independence and verifiable independence
Declaring independence from insurers is not enough. A client can verify the broker’s registration in the ORIAS register, check for any capital links with companies, and request a copy of the brokerage mandate specifying the remuneration conditions.
The ORIAS register is accessible online and free. Anyone can check the status and category of an insurance intermediary before signing a management mandate.
The regulatory framework of 2025-2026 has strengthened the tools available to policyholders to assess the actual quality of support. Transparency on remuneration, traceability of advice, and continuing education are no longer marketing arguments, but obligations whose compliance can be verified. It is on these measurable criteria, more than on the promises made, that firms like Qlara Conseil stand out.