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Step-by-step guide

Finance and insurance referrals: from your first partner programme to your first referral fee

Earn referral fees by introducing people and small businesses to licensed finance and insurance providers through their partner programmes. This guide covers what you may and may not do without a licence under the FAIS Act, a 2026 High Court judgment that changed how risky some referral deals are, real programme terms (Simply pays 7.5% of each premium collected; Lula does not publish its commission), how to check a provider is authorised, and a worked rand example with clearly labelled example figures.

  • 23 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 2 hours
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • You have a network of small business owners or people who trust you.
  • You are careful with facts and comfortable saying "I can't advise you".
  • You are happy to earn slowly over months.

Think twice if

  • You want to recommend which policy or loan someone should take. That is advice and needs a licence.
  • You need income soon. Fees are paid only after a policy is paid for or a loan is funded.
  • You are not comfortable reading contracts carefully.

Honest expectations

  • Most providers do not publish their referral rates. Simply publishes 7.5% of each premium collected (or a first-premium option); Lula says it pays commission on successful referrals without giving the amount.
  • In April 2026 the High Court found a lead-referral deal paid as a share of premiums was really an unlicensed intermediary service and could not be enforced. Lawyers disagree about the ruling, but it shows the risk.
  • Income is usually small and builds slowly.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How finance and insurance referrals workFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Set up step by step: ready to refer6 min (in the full guide)
    3. Referral fees and getting paid: real 2026 terms5 min (in the full guide)
    4. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Read their partner contract and the rules on advice3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Write a factual one-paragraph explanation you can share3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Finding your first referrals5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Your 14-day playbook to your first paying customers6 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Join the programme and share with your network3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Track every referral and its status3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Common mistakes with finance referrals4 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Keep the programmes that pay and drop the rest3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Add a second provider in the same niche3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Free courses to fill your skill gaps4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Tax: what to put aside, with worked examples6 min (in the full guide)
    7. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

ItemCostNote
Data and airtime (example range)R0 to R300Example range.
Simple business cards or a one-page website (example range) (optional)R0 to R200Example range. Optional.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 26 April 2027.