1. Engagement Letter
An engagement letter: “clarifies the services that the client expects the advisor will provide in the immediate transaction and ongoing relationship”
- FSCO Life Insurance Agents 2015/16 Report
Clarifying client expectations:
“important to clarify upfront the client's expectations about the nature of the services the advisor can/will provide, e.g., does client want to purchase predetermined products or does client want professional advice and/or product recommendations?
any advisory fees should be disclosed
what level of ongoing service will be provided?”
- The Approach: Serving the Client through Needs-Based Sales Practices

2. How does it help your client?
Clients understand:
What they can expect from you - avoids surprises or confusion
Any fees that may be associated with your services
Their own responsibilities in the relationship - for example:
Providing information such as financial situation, family status, risk tolerance etc.
Keeping you up to date on significant changes in their circumstances
Making decisions based on the advice you provide

3. How does it help you?
Demonstrates professionalism and provides an opportunity to showcase how you add value
Clear documentation is helpful for future client complaints or litigation
FSCO will expect to see engagement letters in your client files when they conduct examinations
In FSCO’s Life Insurance Agents 2015/16 Report they made reference to engagement letters. At that time, FSCO found that an engagement letter was prepared 71% of the time.

4. What should you include?
Will vary depending on the services you provide and the nature of the client
Include responsibilities of both parties: client and advisor
Cover the following areas:
Purpose of the relationship
Services that you will provide (your value proposition)
Services that you will not provide (e.g. comprehensive tax planning)
Responsibilities of the client
Compensation
Privacy and confidentiality
Contact information
For example, an engagement letter for a professional with complex estate planning needs may be more detailed and fulsome than an engagement letter for a young client who is just looking for term insurance to protect her family.

5. Additional options
Consider including required disclosure in the same document:
Licenses and jurisdictions
Companies you represent
Nature of relationship with insurers (e.g. if ownership interest)
How you are compensated
If you may be eligible for additional compensation such as bonuses, travel conferences etc.
Conflicts of interest
This means you only need to provide one letter at the start of the client relationship, and you have covered off your disclosure obligations as well.

6. Sample engagement letters
EquiNet®: (Online Tools & Information \ Compliance Resources)
BridgeForce also has a sample engagement letter on their compliance webpage
® EquiNet and Equitable Life of Canada are registered trademarks of The Equitable Life Insurance Company of Canada

7. Combined engagement/disclosure letter
BridgeForce also has a sample engagement letter on their compliance webpage

8. Content of engagement letters
BridgeForce also has a sample engagement letter on their compliance webpage

9. Combined engagement/disclosure letter
BridgeForce also has a sample engagement letter on their compliance webpage

10. Combined engagement/disclosure letter
BridgeForce also has a sample engagement letter on their compliance webpage

11. Combined engagement/disclosure letter
BridgeForce also has a sample engagement letter on their compliance webpage

12. Combined engagement/disclosure letter
BridgeForce also has a sample engagement letter on their compliance webpage