Media Release

The Insurance Complaints Bureau announced
an increase in its jurisdiction limit from HK$1 million to HK$1.2 million

The Insurance Complaints Bureau (ICB) today (24 December 2021) announced an increase in its jurisdiction limit from HK$1,000,000 to HK$1,200,000 with effect from 1 January 2022.  This means that ICB will handle complaints with claim or dispute amount up to HK$1,200,000.

“Currently, ICB handles only cases with claim or dispute amount not more than HK$1 million.  This jurisdiction limit has remained unchanged since 2016.  In view of the increasing trend in the overall sum insured and benefit cover, we decided to increase our jurisdiction limit to HK$1.2 million, said Dr Pamela Chan Wong Shui.  “We hope that the increase in the jurisdiction limit would extend our free services to more people.  We are also committed to constantly review the jurisdiction limit in order to keep it in line with the changing market situation,” added Dr Chan.

The ICB was inaugurated on 16 January 2018 to replace the Insurance Claims Complaints Bureau (ICCB).  It provides consumers with a free, independent, efficient and cost-effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism in helping resolve insurance disputes arising from personal insurance policies.  Complaints to ICB should be of monetary nature and are not related to the service quality or the underwriting decision of an insurer.  ICB does not handle complaints arising from industrial, commercial or third party insurance, and cases subject to legal proceedings or arbitration.

ICB currently has 114 Member Insurers.  As a licensing condition, all authorized insurers carrying on any personal insurance business in Hong Kong are required to apply to and become members of ICB.  The operating costs of ICB come from annual subscriptions from Member Insurers and case fees which are charged based on the number of complaints received.