CMA sends objections to ComparetheMarket about Most Favoured Nation clauses in contracts with home insurance providers

The Competition and Markets Authority has issued a statement of objections to BGL (Holdings) Limited, BGL Group Limited, BISL Limited (BISL), and Compare The Market Limited (together ComparetheMarket) alleging breach of the Chapter I prohibition and Article 101 TFEU.

ComparetheMarket operates a price comparison website.  The CMA is concerned about the use by ComparetheMarket of most favoured nation (MFN) clauses in agreements with home insurance providers.  The CMA has also conducted a market study into digital comparison tools.  It now alleges that the use of MFNs by ComparetheMarket is preventing home insurers from quoting lower prices on competing websites.

ComparetheMarket now has an opportunity to respond to the CMA’s objections.  Third parties may submit written representations on the objections if they can materially assist the CMA’s investigation and may request a non-confidential version of the statement of objections by 16 November 2018.