IRDAI Chairman T.S. Vijayan has told Cafemutual that the insurance regulator is likely to come out with the final guidelines on the new commission structure of insurance agents and brokers by October 2016. He said this on the sidelines of 18th CII Insurance Summit held in Mumbai recently.
In January, IRDAI had issued an exposure draft on ‘payment of commission and reward to insurance agents’ in which it has proposed to hike the first year commission (upfront commission) in pure risk policies like term insurance plans having premium paying term of over 12 years to 50% of annual premium. Also, IRDAI has proposed that the first year commission in term policies having premium paying terms between 5 to 11 years be increased to 40% of annual premium. Currently, the first year commission payouts under such policies ranges between 20%-35% of annual premium.
In addition, trail commission or commission on renewal of policies has been proposed to increase from 5% to 10% of annual premium under term insurance policies. Under group term plans, insurers can pay up to 10% of annual premium not exceeding Rs.10 lakh as upfront as well as trail commission.
The regulator has proposed to keep to the commission structure unchanged for traditional policies, annuities and single premium policies.
Similarly, on non-life policies, IRDAI has proposed to hike commissions on motor insurance policies from third year of renewal. Also, IRDAI has proposed to reduce the difference between the commission payouts in health insurance policies issued by life insurance companies, general insurance companies and standalone health insurance companies.
Meanwhile, Vijayan emphasized the need to compensate agents adequately to increase the insurance penetration. He said, “A lot of debate has been going on high upfront commission of distributors. However, I have a different view on this. I think agents should be compensated in such a way that she should find insurance an attractive career option.”
