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Title: ALL GENERAL INSURERS (OTHER THAN STAND-ALONE HEALTH INSURERS AND SPECIALISED INSURERS)
Reference No.: IRDAI/NL/CIR/MOT/ 137/08/2018
Date: 28/08/2018
Implementation of the Directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in t
The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, has, vide its order dated 20th July, 2018 in respect of the captioned case, stated as follows: “We make it clear that the third party insurance cover for new cars should mandatorily be for a period of three years and for two-wheelers, it should mandatorily be for a period of five years. This may be taken and treated as a separate product……………The decision should be implemented from 1st September, 2018 on the policies sold.”
2. In line with the above decision of the Supreme Court, all general insurers (barring the stand-alone health insurers and the specialised insurers) shall carry out the following in respect of Motor Third Party Insurance covers for new cars and new two-wheelers with effect from 1st September, 2018:
(i). Offer only three-year Motor Third Party Insurance covers for new cars and five-year motor third party insurance policies for new two-wheelers.
(ii). In terms of Section 14(2) of IRDA Act 1999, the Authority hereby stipulates that the pricing of the covers mentioned in 2(i) above shall be as set out in Annexure A
(iii). The premium has to be collected for the entire term (three years or five years as the case may be) at the time of sale of insurance but would be recognised on a yearly basis. In other words, it shall be recognised for each year as 1/n of total premium as Gross Written Premium during that year where ‘n’ is the term of the policy. Thus, the premium for the year shall only be recognised as income and the remaining premium shall be treated as “Premium Deposit” or “Advance Premium”.
(iv). No Motor Third Party Insurance may be cancelled by either the insurer or the insured except on the following grounds:
(a). Double Insurance
(b). Vehicle not in use anymore because of Total Loss or Constructive Total Loss
(c). In the event the vehicle is sold and/or transferred
(v). All other extant provisions applicable for Motor Third Party Insurance shall continue mutatis mutandis.
(vi). It would suffice if the insurers file a Letter of Intent signed by the CMD/CEO, with IRDAI in the format indicated in Annexure B through e-mail and follow it up with a physical copy for records. A UIN will be allotted to each product immediately on receipt of letter of intent, which shall be filed before 30th August, 2018.
3. As directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, insurers shall ensure that third party insurance cover is available to all proposers through online channels as well. They shall also liaise with the police authorities to facilitate issuance and renewal of third party insurance cover and ensure its easy availability.
4. Insurers shall advertise about the introduction (including the mandatory nature) of long-term motor third party insurance as stipulated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
5. In respect of Motor Own Damage Insurance cover, in terms of Section 14(2) (i) of IRDA Act 1999, the following are being set out by the Authority:
(i). Currently, as far as Motor Own Damage Insurance is concerned, Package Policies (i.e. comprehensive covers) are available wherein two components are covered—Motor Third Party Liability and Motor Own Damage cover. After the introduction of long term Motor Third Party Insurance for new cars and new two-wheelers, an insured may be given the following two options:
1. Long-term Package cover offering both Motor Third Party Insurance and Own Damage insurance for three years or five years as the case may be.
OR
2. A bundled cover with a three-year or five-year term ( as applicable ) for the third party component and a one-year term for the Own Damage.
(ii). Insurers may price the Own Damage component of the long term package covers suitably, in line with their current approach for pricing. Given the immediate need to offer long term package covers, insurers may start issuing such policies effective 1st September, 2018 even while ensuring filing such products under the File and Use Guidelines before 15th September, 2018. Should the Authority find the pricing approach in variance from their general pricing philosophy/approach for Motor Own Damage and not in line with actuarial principles, suitable direction may be issued by the Authority. As regards pricing of the one-year term component of the OD component of the bundled product, it shall be the same as in existence for the OD component of package policies currently.
(iii). For the purpose of offering such package covers or bundled covers immediately, insurers shall file a Letter of Intent as per format given in Annexure C and Annexure D respectively through e-mail and follow it up with a physical copy for records. A UIN will be allotted to each insurer immediately on receipt of Letter of Intent, which shall be filed before 30th August, 2018.
(iv). All Add-ons currently existing with the insurer may be offered on long term basis as part of the Package cover co-terminus with the basic product. Insurers may price them in line with their current approach for pricing. Given the immediate need to offer add-ons to long term package covers or the bundled products as the case may be, insurers may start issuing such add-ons to policies effective 1st Septemebr, 2018 even while ensuring filing such add-ons under the File and Use Guidelines before 15th September, 2018. Should the Authority find the pricing approach in variance from their general pricing philosophy/approach for those add-ons and not in line with actuarial principles, suitable advice may be issued by the Authority and the same shall be applicable for all future add-ons issued. As regards Add-ons for the OD component of the bundled product, it shall be the same as exists currently for package products.
(v). The format given in Annexure C or Annexure D as applicable shall be used for the purpose of filing the Letter of Intent which may be done through e-mail followed up with a physical copy for records. A UIN will be allotted to each insurer immediately on receipt of Letter of Intent, which shall be filed before 30th August, 2018
(vi). As far as reckoning the IDV for long-term Package cover is concerned, insurers shall take cognizance of the movement of IDV over time for all relevant purposes including underwriting, pricing and settlement of claims.
(vi). No Claim Bonus would be applicable on OD component only when the policy term has been completed.
6. Except as provided above, all extant provisions applicable for the Own Damage component of Package Policies shall apply mutatis mutandis.
7. While the commission payable for the long-term covers will be prescribed by the Authority separately, the payment of commission in a year shall be only on the Gross Written Premium recognised for the year.
8. Insurers shall ensure that transaction level data pertaining to long term policies—both, Third Party Liability only and Package Policies, apart from Bundled product that includes one year own damage component are submitted regularly, at least by End of Day (EoD) to Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIBI). We are requesting IIBI to enable uploading of data for these categories in addition to the existing ones.
Please acknowledge this circular and confirm having noted its contents. Insurers shall ensure strict compliance with the Directions/Guidelines given herein.
(P.J.Joseph)
Member (Non-life)
CC: 1. Secretary General, General Insurance Council, Mumbai
2. Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Information Bureau of India, Hyderabad
