Who can make laws on Insurance?
Insurance is a subject listed in the Union list in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. That means only Union Government can make laws on insurance (a state Government cannot make law on this subject)
IRDA
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Created on the recommendations of the Malhotra Committee report Started in 2000, it is a statutory body (i.e. made through an Act of parliament).
What are the functions of IRDA?
To run insurance businesss, a company has to register itself with IRDA. IRDA regulates the insurance industry and protects the customers. IRDA has the power to frame regulations regarding Insurance market (just like SEBI for Capital market) promotion of competition so as to enhance customer satisfaction through increased consumer choice and lower premiums. (for example IRDA allowed Health Insurance Portability)
Organizational setup of IRDA
IRDA has a ten member team consisting of o 1 Chairman o 5 whole-time members o 4 part-time members
All of them, appointed by the Government of India. Insurance Ombudsman
was created by a Government of India in 1998
Functions of Insurance Ombudsman
Receive and consider complaints in respect of insurance from any person who has any problem against an insurer. pass an award within 3 months after receiving complaint. Insurance companies are required to honour the awards passed by an Insurance Ombudsman within three months. If the policy holder [customer] is not satisfied with the award of the Ombudsman he can approach other venues like Consumer Forums and Courts of law for redressal of his grievances.
Selection of Ombudsman
Ombudsman are drawn from Insurance Industry, Civil Services and Judicial Services. A committee comprising of Chairman, IRDA, Chairman, LIC, Chairman, GIC and a representative of the Central Government select the Insurance Ombudsman. There are twelve Ombudsman across the country allotting them different geographical areas as their areas of jurisdiction. An insurance Ombudsman is appointed for a term of three years or till the incumbent attains the age of sixty five years, whichever is earlier. Re-appointment is not permitted.
What is premium?
To enjoy SAB TV, Zee TV, Star Movies, AXN, HBO etc. youve to make regular payment to Dish TV/Tata Sky etc., we call it subscription. Similarly to get insurance protection, youve to make regular payment to the insurance company, we call it premium.
Insurance Policies: Types Two main types: General and Life
General Insurance
General Insurance = Every Insurance plan EXCEPT life insurance plan Sub categories medical insurance, accident, property and vehicle insurance protection against natural and climatic disasters for agriculture and rural businesses coverage for project, construction, contracts, fire, equipment loss, theft, etc.
Name Personal Insurance policies Rural Insurance policies Industrial Insurance policies
Commercial Insurance protection against loss and damage of property during transportation, policies transactions, marine insurance etc.
Life Insurance Types list is not exhastive.
Whole life plan
You pay the premium till you retire or till the term of the policy. Your family will get money ONLY after you die. You MUST DIE to get back the money. Insurance company collect premium form the insured for the certain period of time like 15, 20, 25, 30 years. If you die within that term, the company will pay huge money to your family. If you dont die within that term, company will return the premium you paid + some interest or bonus on it. So, you DONOT NEED TO DIE to get back the money. You keep paying premium for given period (5,10,20 etc. years) If you die within that period, your family gets huge money.
Endowment
Term Plan
But if you dont die within that period, you will not get a single penny from the company. So, you MUST DIE to get back the money. Good part- Term Plans have cheaper premium than other plans. You pay regular premium to the company. Company invests it in Debt and Equity markets. [click Me to know more about Debt and Equity Markets] The profit generated by this investment, will be given to you no matter you die or not. Thus you get the benefit of risk cover as well as the investment gains. You DONOT NEED TO DIE to get back the money. They pay higher return than Endowment.
ULIP(Unit Linked Insurance Policy)
Nationalization of Insurance business
In 1972, Government of India passed of the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, With this Act, Government took control of all the private insurance companies of India and created 4 companies General [Link]: Kolkata
National Insurance Company Ltd
New India Assurance Company Ltd General InsuranceHQ: Mumbai Oriental Insurance Company Ltd General InsuranceHQ: New Delhi
United India Insurance Company Ltd. General InsuranceHQ: Chennai
Foreign Direct Investment in Insurance
up to 26% is [Link]: 49% allowed after Mamta Left the UPA alliance. For example Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited is a joint venture between o The Indian Company Bajaj (that scooter maker, has 74% stakes in this company.) o The Foreign Company Allianz AG (German Company, has 26% stakes in this company) Similar arrangement was present in Max New York Life Insurance Company But the New York Life sold its stakes and left the game hence the new name of the company is Max Life Insurance Company. [You might have seen the ads on TV about its name change.]
Reform in Insurance sector Already Done by IRDA
If an Insurance company has been in business for 10 years, it can launch IPO. Mobility / Portability in Health Insurance= if youre unhappy with your Health (Medical) insurance company, you can change it.
Pending Reform Mohan: I want to increase the FDI limit from 26% to 49%. Then more foreign companies would come up = more products = lower premiums. Mamatha: But Im opposed to FDI in Retail, Insurance and Aviation. Mohan: Ok I drop the idea sir-ji. LIC
Life Insurance Corporation of India 100% owned by Government. Started in 1956 HQ: Mumbai Motto: Yogakshemam Vahamyaham (taken from Gita, meaning I carry what you require.) Provides Life Insurance, Health Insurance
GIC- Reinsurer
Suppose LIC sells 1000 life insurance policies, each with a 1 crore policy limit (e.g. I, the customer pay Rs.10,000 premium every year and If I die my family should get 1 crorethat type of Policy). Theoretically, the LIC could lose 1000 crores in a day, if every customer dies on the same day! So to prevent itself from such a loss, LIC itself should take some insurance from a third insurance company (GIC). for example I, the LIC Manager shall continue to pay the GIC 1 lakh every month, and in return GIC insures that if my company LIC has to pay more than 100 crores in policy claims within 1 week, then GIC will cover the cost. So, This third party, General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) = Reinsurer. GIC is the ONLY Reinsurer in India.