A client is currently insured with a competing brokerage.

This question explores the Relationship Management competency and the ethical handling of inter-broker competition. Under the RIBO Code of Conduct (Ontario Regulation 991), brokers are expected to maintain professional standards when interacting with both clients and other industry members.

Managing a transition between brokerages requires a formal legal process. A Broker of Record Letter (BOR) or a Letter of Authority is the standard industry document used to grant a new broker the legal right to represent the client's interest to insurers and to access existing policy information. By choosing Option B, the broker ensures that the transition is documented and legally sound. The broker also has a duty to provide Consulting and Advising regarding the "financial impact" of the move—specifically, warning the client about short-rate cancellation penalties if they move mid-term.

The RIBO Level 1 Blueprint emphasizes that a broker must act with "honesty and integrity." Offering a "Switching Bonus" (Option C) would be considered rebating or inducement, which is professional misconduct. Contacting the other broker directly to "demand" a file (Option D) is unprofessional; the client’s file belongs to the brokerage, and the new broker only has the right to the information authorized by the client. This scenario highlights that successful relationship management isn't just about winning a new client, but about navigating the competitive landscape in a way that protects the consumer’s interest and adheres to the RIB Act protocols for contract transition.