1. Micro-Insurance is specifically intended for the protection of low -income people, with affordable insurance products to help them cope with and recover from financial losses;
2. Various schemes of the Government have created new opportunities for Micro-Insurance to reach the vast majority of the poor, including those working in the informal sector. Even so, market penetration for this segment is seen to be low in India;
3. In view of improving the Micro-Insurance penetration it is felt that, combination of Life, Non-Life and Health product are to be designed, which are simple, affordable and easy to understand for such class of people and may cater with their need for insurance protection;
4. Considering the above, the competent Authority has decided to set up a committee with the following members to look into the above aspects:
Sr. No.
|
Name
|
Designation
|
Organization
|
Chairperson / member
|
1
|
Ms. Yegna Priya Bharat
|
CGM
|
IRDAI
|
Chairperson
|
2
|
Ms. R.M. Vishakha
|
CEO
|
India First Life Insurance Co. Ltd.
|
Member
|
3
|
Ms. Sreedevi Nair
|
Regional Manager
|
The New India Assurance Co. Ltd.
|
Member
|
4
|
Mr. C.N. Chinnaswamy
|
Sr. V.P.
|
Star Health & Allied Ins. Co. Ltd.
|
Member
|
5
|
Mr. Shreekant Kumar
|
CEO
|
SEWA, Ahmedabad
|
Member
|
6
|
A. Rama Sudheer
|
Manager
|
IRDAI
|
Member / Convenor
|
5. The terms of reference of the committee are as below:
i) To review the existing regulatory framework on combi-products in India as well as in other jurisdictions and suggest improvements;
ii) To recommend on various combinations of Life, Non-Life, Health products suitable for micro-insurance segment, which shall be sustainable as per actuarial evaluations of such products;
iii) To recommend on design of products viz policy wordings, policy schedules, prospectus etc. for such combi-products;
iv) To recommend on the servicing aspects of such policies, where there is an involvement of more than one insurer;
v) Suggest on file and use procedures of such combi-products;
vi) Suggest on creating of effective awareness programme including training programme to the distribution channels;
vii) Any other related matter pertaining to product structure of micro insurance segment;
6. The Committee shall meet as often as required and submit its recommendations within three months of this order.
Committee on development of a concept paper on standalone Micro-Insurance Company |
|
Committee on Development of a concept paper on standalone Micro- Insurance Company.
1. India has been seen to be a pioneer in the Micro-Insurance sector in the world and has provided an example with its Micro-Insurance regulations.
2. The IRDAI has received suggestions on allowing standalone insurers for transaction of exclusive Micro-Insurance business, as it may boost the Micro-Insurance penetration in India with geographical spread.
3. Considering the above, the competent Authority has decided to set up a committee with the following members to look into above aspects:
Sr. No.
|
Name
|
Designation
|
Organization
|
Chairperson / member
|
1
|
Ms. Mirai Chatterjee
|
Director
|
SEWA, Ahmedabad
|
Chairperson
|
2
|
Mr. Nachiket Mor
|
Independent Consultant
|
N.A.
|
Member
|
3
|
Mr. Mendiratta
|
Retd. ED
|
LIC of India
|
Member
|
4
|
Mr. Ajit Dayal
|
Founder
|
Quantum Mutual Fund
|
Member
|
5
|
Mr. Biswa Bandhu Mohanty
|
Retd. CGM
|
NABARD
|
Member
|
6
|
Ms. Tabassum Inamdar
|
Analyst
|
Banking and Financial Sector
|
Member
|
7
|
Dr. Mamta Suri
|
C.G.M.
|
IRDAI
|
Member
|
8
|
Mr. S.P. Chakraborty
|
G.M.
|
IRDAI
|
Member
|
9
|
Dr. N.M. Behera
|
Secretary
|
Office of the Insurance Ombudsman, Bhubaneshwar
|
Member
|
10
|
Mr. Aleem Afaque
|
A.G.M.
|
IRDAI
|
Member / Convenor
|
4. The terms of reference of the committee are:
a. To assess the desirability and feasibility of formation of standalone Micro-Insurance Companies;
b. To review the existing legal and regulatory framework to enable a standalone micro-insurance company Indian Insurance Company after analysing similar provisions in other jurisdictions;
c. Recommend on the maximum sum insured per person which may be accepted by the proposed micro-insurance Company;
d. Considering the aspect of ease of doing business, suggest on the applicability and or relaxation of extant Act / Regulatory provisions for proposed micro-insurance Company, which may be registered as an insurer. The indicative regulatory aspects are as under:
i) Capital and Solvency;
ii) Underwriting, Product and Claims;
iii) Finance and Accounting;
iv) Investments;
v) Operations;
vi) Corporate Governance;
vii) Others
e. Any other related matter;
5. The Committee shall meet as often as required and submit its recommendations within three months of this order.