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Role of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA)

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is an independent statutory body responsible for the management and regulation of the insurance and reinsurance industry in India.
authorImagePriyanka Dahima4 Jul, 2024
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Role of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

Role of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority: Many of you may have heard the term "IRDA". It is nothing but an abbreviation of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. The supervisory authority acts as a regulator of the insurance sector in India and supervises the activities of life and non-life insurance companies operating in the country.

The main objective of IRDA is to protect the interests of policyholders and to regulate the insurance industry. If you want to know the various functions and role of IRDA in the Indian insurance industry, read more about Center of Excellence for Insurance Companies in India.

Role of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

The Insurance Sector Regulatory and Development Board is the most important insurance sector regulatory organization or supervisory authority of the country. It sets rules and regulations for the operation of the insurance industry. Its sole purpose is to protect the interests of policyholders and develop the industry as a whole. IRDA regularly advises insurance companies when there are changes in rules and regulations. The supervisory authority directs the insurance sector to promote the efficiency of insurance activities, while at the same time controlling insurance-related prices and other payments. This article discusses the operations, functions and benefits of IRDA and answers to frequently asked questions at the end of this reading.

History of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

The Government of India was the regulator of the insurance industry until 2000. To create an independent apex body, IRDA was established in 2000 as per the recommendation of Malhotra Committee 1999 report. In August 2000, IRDA began accepting applications for registration through invitations and allowed companies from other countries to invest up to 26% in the market. IRDA has introduced several rules and regulations under Section 114A of the Insurance Act, 1938. The regulations range from registration of insurance companies operating in the country to protecting the interests of policyholders. As of September 2020, 31 non-life insurance companies and 24 life insurance companies are registered with IRDA.

Role of IRDA

IRDA stands for Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India. It was established in 1999 to manage and develop the insurance industry in India.
  • IRDA's main task is to protect the claims of policyholders and develop the insurance sector in a controlled manner. It does this through the following steps.
  • Preparation of rules and practices for the approval of insurance products, investment standards, solvency margin, etc.
  • To promote fair competition among insurers so that customers know insurance services effectively.
  • To spread insurance awareness among the public to increase insurance penetration.
  • Approves uniform accounting practices and financial reporting standards for insurers.
  • Monitors insurance companies to ensure their transparent and customer friendly operations.
  • Manage the activities of insurance companies and brokers.
  • As stated below, IRDA aims to create a comprehensive and sustainable insurance market.
  • Introduces new insurance products that meet the needs of other customer data.
  • Educate people about insurance benefits so that more citizens can benefit from insurance coverage.
  • Ensure that insurance products are fair and affordable to the public.
  • IRDA aims to promote the growth of an efficient, competitive and reliable insurance sector that offers a wide range of insurance products to all sections of society.
  • This is done through proper regulations, active booking, increasing insurance awareness and promoting the growth of the insurance company in India.

Functions of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India

  • To keep the insurance industry under various rules, regulations and policies. It defines the standards applicable to insurers in terms of product approval, investment methods, solvency margin, corporate governance, etc.
  • Monitor and manage the activities of all insurance companies and brokers to ensure compliance. If necessary, he carries out inspections, audits and investigations.
  • Protecting the interests of policyholders by ensuring transparent, fair and customer-oriented activities of insurance companies. It deals with complaints and grievances of politicians.
  • To promote fair competition in the insurance industry so that versatile and effective insurance benefits are known to the public. Its purpose is to reduce monopoly interest rates.
  • Dissemination of insurance knowledge among citizens to increase insurance penetration. This includes rides, events and academic programs to improve insurance literacy.
  • Facilitate the growth of different insurance products to accommodate the needs of other customers. It supports new goods purchased from insurance companies.
  • Establish accounting and financial reporting standards for insurers to maintain consistency and clarity. It also maintains a centralized insurance database.
  • Licensing of insurance companies and negotiators to operate in India. It can revoke, suspend or cancel licenses for violations.
  • IRDA plays a multifaceted role as a regulator, promoter, promoter and supervisor of the insurance sector. Its mission is to develop a strong, stable and customer oriented insurance industry in India.
  • With the right rules and active monitoring, IRDA tries to balance the objectives of all stakeholders - insurers, brokers, investors and most importantly insurance customers..

Importance of IRDA

The Indian insurance industry dates back to the early 1800s and has grown over the years with increased transparency and focus on protecting the interests of policyholders. IRDA plays an important role in bringing policymakers and their interests to the forefront while framing rules and regulations. Here are the important functions of IRDA:
  • To protect the interests of the policyholders.
  • Helps to accelerate the growth of the insurance sector in a controlled manner, which is beneficial to the common man.
  • Provides long-term resources to boost the national economy.
  • To promote, set, monitor and control high standards of honesty, fair treatment, financial soundness and competence of insurance providers.
  • To ensure faster and more efficient resolution of actual claims.
  • To prevent abuses and frauds, IRDA has established a grievance forum to ensure protection of policyholders.
  • Promotes the transparency, fairness and systematic operation of insurance operations on the financial market.
  • Establish a reliable management system to ensure compliance with high standards of financial stability of insurance companies.
  • If such high standards are not met, take appropriate action.
  • To ensure optimal industry self-regulation.

Role of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority FAQs

Q1. What is Role of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority?

Ans. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is an independent statutory body responsible for the management and regulation of the insurance and reinsurance industry in India.

Q2. What is an insurance ombudsman?

Ans. Icon It is a scheme introduced by the Central Government for efficient, cost-effective and impartial settlement of policyholder’s grievances.

Q3. What are the functions of IRDA?

Ans. The functions of IRDA are explained in detail in our article.

Q4. What is IRDA Act?

Ans, The law provides for comprehensive regulation of the state's insurance sector. The Government of India has constituted a commission to review the structure of the insurance sector and recommend changes in rules and regulations to make it more efficient. In 1999, the regulatory and development institution of the insurance sector was presented to the parliament. The bill was discussed and debated before the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act of 1999 became law.
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