Mediation Committee

The Mediation Committee is a standing body of the Association of Insurance Consumers. It develops the use of mediation in insurance: negotiations with a neutral mediator who helps the parties find an acceptable solution themselves. Mediation makes it possible to settle a dispute with an insurer faster and cheaper than in court, while preserving the business relationship.

Tasks of the committee

• Explaining to consumers and market participants what mediation can and cannot do in insurance disputes.
• Helping to choose a mediator who specialises in insurance disputes.
• Preparing recommendations on mediation clauses in insurance contracts.
• Summarising the practice of settling insurance disputes through mediation.
• Working with mediator organisations, including the mediator.kz portal.

Goals of the committee

The committee wants mediation to become the usual first step in an insurance dispute: the consumer and the insurer sit down with a neutral mediator before going to court. This saves both sides time and money and reduces the burden on the courts.

Regulation on the committee

The committee works under its Regulation. Key provisions:

• the committee acts under the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Mediation”, insurance legislation and the Association's internal documents;
• mediation is voluntary: the parties decide whether to take part and on what terms to agree;
• the committee does not conduct mediation itself and does not impose a particular mediator;
• information disclosed during mediation is confidential.

The full text of the Regulation is attached below as a PDF.

Structure of the committee

• Chair — appointed by the Board, organises the committee's work.
• Members — professional mediators and lawyers specialising in insurance disputes.
• Secretary — keeps minutes and records of requests.

Reporting

The committee reports to the Association's Board and proposes ways to develop mediation in insurance.

Role of the committee

For consumers, the committee is a guide to out-of-court settlement: it explains how mediation works and helps to find an insurance-dispute mediator on mediator.kz.