Most code breaches last financial year related to claims, according to the General Insurance Code of Practice annual report.

Of the 32 breaches resolved or closed, 62% involved claims standards, 19% related to complaints or disputes, 13% financial hardship and 6% buying insurance.

“Most commonly, claims-related breaches had to do with the general requirement that claims handling be conducted in an honest, fair, transparent and timely manner,” the report says.

The committee dealt with nine significant breaches, some of which were carried over from the previous financial year, and two were settled.

More than half of significant breaches – including both those closed – concerned buying insurance, specifically the requirement to conduct sales processes and services in an efficient, honest, fair and transparent manner.

Last financial year saw the general insurance industry’s full transition to the 2014 version of the code. This brought new responsibilities for the committee, which is supported by, but independent from, the Financial Ombudsman Service.