The Financial Services Authority (FSA) today named and shamed the insurance sectors that are yet to apply for authorisation.
It said more than 14,000 insurance firms had registered, but there were a further 4,500 missing applications with just six weeks to the final deadline.
The top three hotspot sector groups, it said, were motor dealers, removals firms, and property managers.
FSA high street firms division director Sarah Wilson said: "We are extremely concerned to see that despite our ongoing correspondence and work with these sectors, there are still firms who have not applied or become appointed representatives.
“We urge these firms to take action now and contact us.”
