Whereas, under Council Directive 92/49/EEC of 18 June 1992 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance and amending Directives 73/239/EEC and 88/357/EEC ( 6 ) and Council Directive 92/96/EEC of 10 November 1992 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct life assurance and amending Directives 79/267/EEC and 90/619/EEC ( 7 ) the taking up and the pursuit of the business of insurance are subject to the granting of a single official authorisation issued by the authorities of the Member State in which an insurance undertaking has its registered office (home Member State); whereas such authorisation allows an undertaking to carry on business throughout the Community, under either the right of establishment or the freedom to provide services; whereas the competent authorities of home Member States are responsible for monitoring the financial health of insurance undertakings, including their solvency;