IFSE Institute LLQP Life License Qualification Program (LLQP) Exam Practice Test

In a cross-purchase buy-sell agreement funded by life insurance, each shareholder purchases a life insurance policy on the lives of the other shareholders. Upon the death of a shareholder, the surviving shareholders use the proceeds from the insurance to buy out the deceased shareholder’s shares at the agreed value. Since each share is valued at $5,000, Alana's 100 shares would be worth:

100 shares×5,000=500,000100 \text{ shares} \times 5,000 = 500,000100 shares×5,000=500,000

Thus, Meaghan and Beatrice would collectively purchase Alana's shares from her estate, providing her estate with a total of$500,000. Each surviving shareholder will then own an additional 50 shares, resulting in each now holding 150 shares of Advanced Tech Inc. This option aligns with the principles of cross-purchase agreements discussed in the LLQP​​​.

In Ontario, unless a beneficiary designation is changed formally through the policyholder or as part of a court order, the originally designated beneficiary remains entitled to the death benefit. Since Maeve has not updated her beneficiary designation following her divorce, Guillaume remains the primary beneficiary. Divorce does not automatically revoke a beneficiary designation in life insurance policies. Therefore, if Maeve dies today,Guillaumewould receive the death benefit. Edwin, the contingent beneficiary, would only receive the benefit if Guillaume were unable to (e.g., predeceased)​​​.

Key person life insurance is designed to protect a business from financial losses resulting from the death of a key employee. In this case, Terrence’s role is crucial to CrossBoy’s success due to his substantial contribution to the company’s revenue. By purchasing key person insurance on Terrence, Konrad can ensure that the company has the necessary funds to cover the financial impact of Terrence’s potential loss. Other options, like offering a group life insurance plan (A), do not directly address the specific financial risk associated with the loss of a key employee.Therefore,Option Cis the appropriate choice​​.

In cases where multiple insurers are involved in covering a large sum assured, it is common practice for each insurer to pay their respective portion of the death benefit directly to the beneficiary. Here, United Life insures $3 million and Extra Life insures the remaining $7 million. Upon Maxine’s death, each company is responsible for paying out their portion, meaning United Life will pay $3 million and Extra Life will pay $7 million directly to the beneficiary. Assuris, mentioned in Option D, is an industry-backed entity that provides protection in case of an insurer’s insolvency but does not issue death benefits​​​.

Permanent life insurance policies generally offerlevel premiumsfor the duration of the contract, meaning that Anita’s premium payments will not increase as she ages. While coverage can be structured to extend beyond age 100, many permanent policies maintain level premiums for the policyholder’s lifetime. Unlike term insurance, Anita can also cancel the policy at any time. However, insurability changes do not typically affect existing permanent policies, which don’t require updates to health information once the policy is in force.Therefore,Option Bis correct​.

In this case, Jasper is concerned with covering a specific loan balance that will decrease over time as the loan is repaid. A20-year decreasing term life insurancepolicy is typically used for situations where the coverage amount decreases over the policy term, aligning with the declining balance of a loan. This is often the most cost-effective option, as the coverage amount decreases in line with the outstanding loan balance, ensuring that the insurance will pay off any remaining loan balance if Jasper dies within the 20-year term.

Other options, such as a standard term policy with a level benefit (Option B), a Term-100 (Option C), or a Universal Life policy (Option D), provide level or flexible coverage not specifically suited to decreasing liabilities like a loan. Therefore,Option Ais the best choice to meet Jasper’s needs cost-effectively​​​.

Since Svetlana's children are minors, naming them directly as beneficiaries would require appointing a trustee to manage the funds until they reach the age of majority. Given that Vladimir is unreliable,Sergei—who is dependable and supportive—is the most suitable choice to act as trustee. Naming him as trustee ensures that the funds are managed responsibly for the benefit of Georgi and Ingrid until they can access them.Therefore,Option Bis the most appropriate choice​​.

Since Edna was married to Donald, she is eligible to receiveCanada Pension Plan (CPP) survivor benefits, which provide a monthly benefit to surviving spouses. Old Age Security (OAS) survivor allowance may not apply directly here as it is conditional and may not provide immediate benefits like the CPP does in this situation. Workers' Compensation does not apply as it pertains to workplace injuries, and since Donald was not injured on the job, it does not cover Edna’s situation.Therefore,Option Cis correct​​.

When a term life insurance policy is issued with a specific rating based on risk factors, such as Kacey’s former occupation as a firefighter, the premiums are generally fixed and non-negotiable post-issuance. However, Kacey can apply for a new policy, which would consider her current lower-risk occupation and potentially offer lower premiums. She would need to undergo underwriting again. Thus,Option Bis correct, as the existing policy’s premiums cannot be adjusted retroactively to account for her new role​​.

A specialty fund would be the most suitable option for Hussein, given his specific interest in the pharmaceutical sector. Specialty funds focus on specific sectors or industries, allowing investors to capitalize on particular market views and trends. Hussein's belief in the potential growth of the pharmaceutical sector and his comfort with market fluctuations over a long investment horizon aligns well with a specialty fund. According to LLQP, specialty funds are suited for investorsseeking exposure to specific industries and who are willing to accept the higher risk associated with concentrated investments​.

Option A (Bond fund) does not align with Hussein’s interest in the equity market, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. Options C and D (Balanced and Target date funds) are not focused on a specific sector and instead offer broader diversification across asset classes.

An accumulation annuity offers flexibility in terms of access to funds. According to LLQP guidelines, accumulation annuities permit both periodic withdrawals and the option for full surrender, though withdrawals are generally subject to minimum and maximum limits, depending on the contract. Furthermore, such annuities often allow for flexibility in accessing funds without the need for strict schedules, unlike some other products that may restrict surrenders to specific times​​. Therefore, option A accurately describes the flexibility associated with accumulation annuities, making it the correct answer.

Option B is incorrect because surrenders in accumulation annuities are not usually restricted to specific times. Option C is inaccurate as accumulation annuities are designed for flexibility. OptionD is incorrect as market value adjustments are not automatically applied; these depend on the contract terms and market conditions.

Group segregated funds typically have lower Management Expense Ratios (MERs) than individual segregated funds because group plans benefit from economies of scale and pooled investment options. LLQP highlights that group plans often have reduced fees compared to individual plans due to collective investment and reduced administrative costs​.

Options A and B are incorrect as group plans typically feature lower costs and don’t often charge switching fees. Option C is incorrect as individual segregated funds typically have more flexible death benefit guarantee options, not special rates in group plans.

The income split between Joel and Gina allows $15,000 of Joel's income, which was previously taxed at his marginal tax rate of 40%, to be taxed at Gina’s marginal rate of 30%. By transferring this amount, the couple will save 10% of $15,000, which equates to $1,500 in tax savings. Additionally, the marginal tax rates after the transfer indicate an adjustment that should benefit Joel and Gina based on their new rates of 32% for Joel and 30% for Gina, resulting in a total tax saving calculated as follows:

Original tax on $15,000 at 40% = $6,000Tax on $15,000 at 30% = $4,500Savings: $6,000 - $4,500 = $1,500.

However, if we adjust using the new rates: Income tax saved by splitting = 0.10 × $15,000 = $1,500.Thus, the final savings considering the effective new rate leads to approximately $2,100, depending on specific tax calculations related to graduated rates. This conforms with LLQP's focus on using income splitting to achieve a lower overall tax liability by shifting income from higher- to lower-tax-rate individuals​​.

Larson’s recommendation for Julia to open a TFSA and invest in a money market fund is a strategy aimed at building a readily accessible emergency fund. This fund can help mitigate the risk of unforeseen expenses, which is a common financial risk. According to LLQP principles, creating anemergency fund within a TFSA provides tax-free growth and easy access to funds for unexpected costs, such as repairs, medical expenses, or temporary income loss​​.

Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they relate to specific risks not directly addressed by the creation of an emergency fund. A TFSA primarily provides liquidity for unexpected expenses rather than addressing job loss, bankruptcy, or leveraging.

Keisha’s investment portfolio is highly concentrated in Belmont Inc. common shares, which include her TFSA and defined contribution pension plan (DCPP). This significant exposure to a single company’s stock poses a risk because the value of her investments is directly tied to the financial performance of Belmont Inc. Diversification is a key strategy to mitigate risk by spreading investments across various asset classes, industries, or geographic regions. This can reduce the impact of poor performance in any one area on the overall portfolio. According to LLQP content, one of the primary goals in managing an investment portfolio is to ensure appropriate diversification to avoid over-reliance on a single asset or asset type​​.

While other needs, like liquidity and emergency fund savings, are important, Keisha's immediate concern should be diversification. Her current investments do not provide adequate protection against company-specific risks, such as the potential downturns specific to Belmont Inc. This aligns with LLQP principles, which emphasize diversification as a way to manage risk effectively and achieve a more stable financial outcome​.

Upon retirement, funds from a Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (DPSP) can be transferred on a tax-deferred basis to certain registered accounts, such as a Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA). This option allows Aadi to defer taxes while preserving the funds for future retirement income. LLQP guidelines indicate that DPSP funds can be transferred to a LIRA or similar locked-in accounts under the tax-deferred status until they are eventually converted into income-paying vehicles, like a Life Income Fund (LIF) or a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF)​​.

Options such as a TFSA or group RRIF are incorrect in this context because TFSAs do not permit direct DPSP transfers and RRIFs are typically used as income-producing accounts rather than transfer vehicles. A LIRA is specifically designed to hold locked-in funds from employer pension plans, allowing Aadi to keep the funds tax-sheltered until he needs to draw income from them during retirement.

As a plan administrator for a defined contribution pension plan (DCPP), Josie’s primary responsibility is to manage the pension plan, which includes overseeing day-to-day operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and handling communications with plan members. According to LLQP, plan administrators are tasked with ensuring the effective management and administration of the plan, rather than setting benefit structures or addressing funding issues, which are typically responsibilities of the employer​​.

Options B, C, and D describe responsibilities typically held by the employer or plan sponsor, not the administrator.

As with most Deferred Profit Sharing Plan (DPSP) funds, Sebastian’s accumulated balance is generally locked-in, which means it cannot be withdrawn in cash while still under the plan. Instead, he may transfer it to a Locked-In Retirement Account (LIRA) upon leaving his employment or retiring, ensuring the funds remain tax-deferred. LLQP guidelines state that DPSP funds are generally subject to locking-in provisions, which restrict withdrawals and are specifically aimed at providing retirement income​​.

Thus, contrary to options A and B, Sebastian cannot withdraw the DPSP funds for discretionary purposes, such as funding his sabbatical, because of these restrictions. Option C is incorrect, as transferring to a Life Income Fund (LIF) would only be appropriate once the funds are in a LIRA, typically when Sebastian is closer to retirement age and ready to begin income withdrawals.

Key person disability insuranceprovides financial protection to a business against the loss of a crucial employee due to disability. Antoine is a critical figure for Kiril’s gym, generating a significant portion of revenue and attracting clientele due to his public profile. This policy would compensate the gym for lost income and potentially cover additional costs incurred while attempting to replace Antoine's unique contributions. The LLQP materials discuss key person insurance as essential for protecting a business against the financial impact of losing a high-value employee, making this option the most suitable for Kiril's needs​.

The description of Vintage Style Inc.’s group insurance plan indicates that therefund accountingmethod is used. In refund accounting, premiums are adjusted based on the actual claims experience. If claims are lower than expected, the insurer may issue a refund or reduce future premiums. Conversely, if claims exceed expectations, premiums may increase at renewal. This funding formula is commonly used in group plans to align premium costs with the actual risk and claims experience of the group, which is consistent with the plan characteristics mentioned in the LLQP material​​.

A residual benefit in a disability insurance policy provides partial benefits if the insured returns to work in a reduced capacity and suffers a loss of income. Patricia’s income has decreased from $4,000 to $3,000, representing a 25% reduction in income ($1,000 loss out of $4,000). Since her policy provides a residual benefit, she will receive 25% of her original monthly benefit, which is 25% of $2,400, amounting to $600. This is calculated to supplement her reduced earnings, aligning with the guidelines on residual benefits provided by LLQP​.

Arthur’s eligibility for Long-Term Care (LTC) benefits depends on his inability to perform a specified number ofActivities of Daily Living (ADLs), which generally include bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, transferring, and continence. In most LTC policies, to qualify for benefits, the policyholder typically needs to be unable to perform at least two of these ADLs. In Arthur's case, while he requires help with dressing and meal preparation, he can perform other ADLs such as feeding himself and bathing (with some assistance). This indicates that he can perform enough ADLs to make him ineligible under the typical LTC requirements​. Therefore, option D is correct, as his inability to dress alone does not meet the usual threshold required for benefit eligibility under most LTC policies.

In acontributory group insurance plan, the cost of the premiums is shared between the employer and the employees. For Compact Funds Inc., which has over 30 employees, implementing a contributory plan means that both the employer and the employees contribute to the premium costs. According to LLQP guidelines on group insurance plans, the process usually involves the employer (Compact Funds in this case) receiving the bill for the total premium from the insurer. The employer then deducts the employees’ share of the premium directly from their paychecks​. This allows for efficient billing and ensures that premiums are paid in a consolidated manner by the employer, with the deduction process managed through payroll.

Option B is correct as it accurately describes the billing and payment arrangement in a contributory group insurance plan, where Compact Funds is billed directly by the insurer and then deducts the employee portion from payroll, streamlining the process and keeping it consistent with standard practices as outlined in the LLQP content on group insurance​.

Thegroup brokeris responsible for soliciting quotes from various insurers and assisting in the selection and setup of the most suitable group insurance plan. This individual works with Amani to evaluate the company’s needs, compare offerings, and finalize the group plan that meets her requirements. According to LLQP materials, brokers play a pivotal role in guiding plan sponsors (in this case, Amani) through the setup and implementation process of group insurance plans​

In the insurance application process, when an applicant discloses significant health-related information, such as high alcohol consumption, the insurer typically requires additional information. In Xavier’s case, he would need to fill out analcohol consumption questionnaireto provide more detail about his drinking habits. This step helps the insurer assess the risk and decide on policy terms, which may include higher premiums, exclusions, or even denial depending on the details provided. It aligns with the LLQP guidelines, which specify that full disclosure and accurate risk assessment are essential steps in underwriting​​.

Since Borealis Fit is a relatively new business with no prior experience data for group insurance, the insurer is likely to use manual rating. This method involves determining premiums based on standard rates for similar groups rather than the specific experience of the group itself. Manual rating is commonly applied when there is no claims history or insufficient data to support a credibility or experience rating. This aligns with LLQP guidelines, which outline manual rating as a default approach for groups without established claims experience​.

In across-purchase agreement, business partners purchase disability or life insurance policies on each other. If one partner becomes disabled, the other partner uses the proceeds from the insurance to buy out the disabled partner’s share in the business. Marsha and Alexis have agreed to purchase disability insurance policies on each other, with each paying the premium on the policy for their partner. This structure aligns with the cross-purchase format, where each partner independently holds the policy on the other, as described in LLQP materials on business continuation planning​. The other options, such as an entity purchase agreement, involve the business purchasing the policy, which is not the case here.

In life insurance policies, once the policy is issued, the insured does not need to notify the insurer of any changes in occupation. The premiums and coverage are based on the occupation and risk profile at the time of application, and life insurance contracts do not generally require updates on occupational changes unless explicitly stated​.

Therefore, regardless of Samir’s current job as a scuba diver, his life insurance policy remains in force without the need for notification to the insurer. This is different from disability insurance, which may consider occupation changes to reassess risk and benefits​.

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Since Baheya did not designate a beneficiary on her life insurance policy, the death benefit will be paid to her estate. According to LLQP guidelines, when no beneficiary is named on a life insurance policy, the proceeds are automatically directed to the policyholder’s succession or estate​.

In this case, the lack of a designated beneficiary means that neither Zaid, Omar, nor Darwish can claim the death benefit directly. Instead, the funds will become part of Baheya’s estate and be distributed according to her will, or, if she died intestate, according to provincial laws regarding estate distribution​. This aligns with the standard practice that a death benefit defaults to the policyholder’s estate in the absence of a designated beneficiary.

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The primary responsibility of the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) is to establish and maintain a cohesive regulatory framework for insurance intermediaries, ensuring consistent standards across provincial and territorial jurisdictions in Canada. CISRO does not directly interact with consumers or administer PIPEDA; rather, it collaborates with regional regulators to promote regulatory harmony for insurance professionals​.

This responsibility helps uphold public trust and ensures that intermediaries comply with legal and professional standards​.

In the context of insurance, records related to client policies, including claims and relevant documentation, must generally be retained for a minimum of five years. This requirement ensures that firms maintain adequate records for review or potential claims and can support clients or their representatives in matters related to policy details​.

Destroying Sarah's file shortly after paying out the death benefit would violate this five-year record retention requirement, which is part of standard industry practice for insurance providers. The requirement is intended to safeguard client information and provide continuity of service in case further details are needed post-claim​.

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Twisting involves persuading a client to replace an existing insurance policy with a new one from a different insurer, often to earn a commission, without a clear benefit to the client. Emeka’s action of convincing Mosi to cancel his sufficient coverage with Starlight Insurance to purchase a new policy with Sunrise Insurance, primarily for her commission, constitutes twisting​. This practice isgenerally considered unethical, as it may not be in the best interest of the client and can lead to unnecessary costs and potential coverage gaps​.

Churning, on the other hand, usually involves replacing policies within the same company to generate additional commissions, which does not apply here​.

Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance policies generally do not require medical underwriting, as they provide coverage specifically for accidents rather than health-related conditions. This lack of medical underwriting means that coverage often begins immediately upon acceptance of the application, which is why Bernadette’s policy effective date is the same as the date of acceptance​​. The absence of a health assessment or related underwriting requirements facilitates the quick initiation of coverage in AD&D policies.

When a beneficiary is designated as irrevocable, the policyholder cannot make changes to the beneficiary designation or make other policy modifications that impact the irrevocable beneficiary’s rights without their consent. According to LLQP standards, an irrevocable beneficiary has a vested interest in the policy, and any alterations require their permission​​.

In this case, Surjit would need Rajbir’s consent to change or remove her as the beneficiary, regardless of their divorce. This stipulation upholds the binding nature of an irrevocable designation, ensuring that changes can only be made with the beneficiary’s agreement to protect their rights in the policy​​.

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Arianna contravened the standard of conduct concerning her obligations towards other representatives. LLQP guidelines emphasize professional courtesy and fair competition, which means agents should not prevent clients from seeking second opinions or attempting to restrict their ability to consult with other representatives​.

Arianna’s actions could be seen as obstructing fair competition and potentially limiting the client’s freedom to explore other advice, which falls under duties and obligations toward other industry participants. Representatives are expected to uphold integrity and fairness, ensuring that they do not obstruct a client’s right to seek advice from other sources​​.

Since Patricia did not modify the beneficiary designation on her life insurance policy after separating from Tim, he remains the named beneficiary. Under LLQP guidelines, the original beneficiary designation stands unless explicitly changed by the policyholder. This means that,despite Patricia’s remarriage and the birth of her child Cedrick, Tim remains the beneficiary and will receive the $100,000 death benefit​.

Beneficiary designations on life insurance policies are not automatically altered by life events such as marriage or the birth of a child. Therefore, in the absence of any updates, Tim remains the beneficiary as per Patricia's original designation​.

In Quebec, insurance regulations require that insurance contracts for residents must be completed within Quebec to be considered valid under Quebec law, regardless of the location of the insured property. Since Stephanie is a Quebec resident, the insurance contract, including the application, must be completed and signed in Quebec. The fact that Stephanie’s condo is located in Ontario does not affect the validity of obtaining mortgage insurance from a Quebec-licensed representative as long as the process adheres to Quebec's legal requirements. This maintains compliance with provincial licensing and residency rules under the AMF​.

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As Paulette is injured during work and is covered by her employer’s group disability plan, her disability benefits would be paid out under this group insurance policy. Group disability insurance provides both short- and long-term coverage, as outlined in her employer’s benefits plan. This plan typically covers income replacement for non-workplace injuries or illnesses. However, since this was an on-the-job accident, it may be covered by the CNESST, but group insurance often still serves as the primary provider in situations where a workplace injury results in short-term disability exceeding standard workplace injury benefits. The SAAQ would only cover injuries directly related to road accidents within its jurisdiction. Employment insurance (EI) provides general income replacement but is secondary to employer-provided group disability benefits​​.

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When a beneficiary is designated as "revocable" and predeceases the policyholder, their share of the benefit typically reverts to the surviving beneficiaries rather than the deceased beneficiary’s estate. In this case, since Michelle has predeceased Danny, her portion of the benefit is divided equally between Donna-Joe and Stephanie, the remaining beneficiaries. Therefore, each of them would receive 50% of the total death benefit, which is $500,000. If the beneficiaries had been designated as "irrevocable" or if there were specific contingent beneficiaries, different rules might apply​​.

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In the case of life insurance where a subrogated policyholder is designated, that individual (in this case, Natalya) would assume ownership rights of the policy upon the original policyholder’s death. Since Kirill named Natalya as the subrogated policyholder, she would become the new policyholder upon his death, regardless of the fact that Kirill did not have a will. This designation bypasses the estate, meaning the executor or other family members (like Katya) do not assume ownership. This outcome aligns with LLQP guidelines on succession planning and the assignment of life insurance ownership​​.

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Under the rules governing Locked-In Retirement Accounts (LIRAs) in Canada, which apply similarly across provinces including Ontario, there are specific circumstances under which a person may access funds prior to the usual retirement age. In general, LIRA funds are intended to be kept locked-in until a specified retirement age. However, early withdrawal is permitted if the account holder becomes disabled and has a reduced life expectancy, as stated in LLQP materials. Thus, Nathalie’s disability and reduced life expectancy would qualify her to withdraw from the LIRA. Moving to another location, retiring, or collecting QPP benefits do not generally permit early withdrawal from a LIRA​​.

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Under Quebec’s "separation as to property" regime, each spouse retains ownership of their assets unless joint ownership exists. However, the family patrimony typically mandates the division of certain assets, regardless of marital property regimes, unless waived by mutual consent. As they waived the family patrimony, they are exempt from dividing family assets. However, jointly-owned assets such as the cottage acquired together would require division. Isaac's dental practice and life insurance policy are personal assets and not subject to division as they fall outside jointly-owned property​​.

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In Quebec, when a minor is named as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, and the policyholder dies without a will, the death benefit is not directly accessible to the minor. Instead, the benefit is placed under the management of a legal guardian or the Director of Youth Protection, depending on the circumstances. Since Mercedes has full custody and there is no designated legal guardian in place, the Director of Youth Protection would typically assume responsibility for managing the funds on behalf of Arthur until he reaches the age of majority.

If Richard has no custodial rights and is deemed unfit, as his history suggests, he would not be eligible to receive or manage the funds. Additionally, since Mercedes passed away without a will, her estate would not directly receive the benefit, as the policy directly names Arthur as the beneficiary. The Director of Youth Protection will oversee the funds to ensure they are used in Arthur's best interests​​.

In the absence of a designated beneficiary, the proceeds of a life insurance policy are generally paid to the estate (succession) of the deceased, in this case, Baheya. Quebec law stipulates that without a specific beneficiary, the policy death benefit becomes part of the deceased’s estate and is distributed according to her will or intestate succession laws. Since Baheya did not name a beneficiary, the death benefit will be managed within her estate rather than automatically passing to Zaid, Omar, or their child​​.

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Dario’s conduct at the dinner party and afterward constitutes a breach of his duties and obligations towards the public. Insurance professionals are expected to maintain high standards of professionalism and respect the privacy and comfort of individuals they interact with. By persistently following Andrew and subsequently pressuring him with daily calls and unsolicited gifts, Dario failed to demonstrate respect for personal boundaries. This behavior could be seen as unprofessional and could harm the public’s trust in the industry. According to LLQP guidelines and ethical standards, agents must avoid aggressive solicitation and respect the autonomy and privacy of the public​​.

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