Verify identity and registration
Check the adviser’s identity and, for an untied intermediary, the relevant FINMA register entry. Make sure the business details correspond to the person or company you are dealing with. Registration is a regulatory check; it is not an endorsement of a particular product or a guarantee of investment returns.
Ask how the adviser is paid
Ask for the remuneration disclosure and an explanation of any fee you would pay. Also ask which insurers or providers are included and which are outside the comparison. Independence should not be interpreted as automatic access to every product in the market. Clear scope makes the recommendation easier to assess.
Expect reasons you can review
A useful proposal explains your priorities, alternatives, costs and trade-offs in writing. Ask what would happen if your income, employment or family plans changed. Take time to read the contract and resolve uncertainties. You should understand why the proposed arrangement fits before you commit.