Multi-year insurance policies for cars soon
The biggest advantage of having a multi-year insurance policy is the convenience of not having to renew the policy every year. But it is a bit challenging to arrive at the right pricing in a multi-year scenario
Premium
While insurance companies have been offering multi-year policies for two-wheelers for some time now, there are no such policies for four-wheelers. This might change soon, as the Supreme Court has directed the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) to decide on making third-party motor insurance “mandatory" by 1 September, PTI reported.
The court said this while referring to the recommendations of the SC Committee on Road Safety, which says that at the time of the sale of two- or four-wheelers, third-party insurance should be made mandatory for a period of five and three years, respectively, instead of a year. According to the committee’s report, only 6 crore of the 18 crore vehicles registered across the country have third-party insurance.
A motor policy has two main components—third-party liability and own damage (OD). In India, it is mandatory for all registered vehicles to have third-party cover, which covers liabilities arising from damage caused to a third party. It does not cover damage to the vehicle or its owner. The premium for this is fixed by Irdai every year.
For two-wheelers
Currently, multi-year policies for two-wheelers are available for up to 3 years.
The biggest advantage of having it is the convenience of not having to renew the policy every year. Also, in case of a single-year policy, you could remain uninsured for the period between the date when the policy lapses and the date on which you renew it.
Also Read: 4 reasons that let car insurers deny a claim
The other major benefit is lower premium for subsequent years. As the premium for third-party liability is fixed at the beginning of the first year, you escape the annual third-party rate hikes in subsequent years. The third-party premium is revised each year based on previous years’ claim experiences. “From a consumer perspective, a multi-year policy helps because the consumer would know what price he will be paying for the next 3 or 5 years. Otherwise, pricing changes every year," said Sasikumar Adidamu, chief technical officer, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance.
As policies for up to three years are already being offered, the experience might help offer five-year policies as well. “Third party pricing is based on claim experience. In India, the claim experience is moving upwards as income is going up, inflation is there and also court awards are going up. So it is a bit challenging to arrive at the right pricing in a multi-year scenario. But as data has got created over the years—like data from three-year two-wheeler policies will be helpful—I think now we are in a better position to come out with even longer term policies," said Rakesh Jain, CEO, Reliance General Insurance.
For four-wheelers
With a directive from the Supreme Court, the insurance regulator will have to allow multi-year policies for cars as well. Insurance companies are not allowed to offer such a product at present.
While existing multi-year policies for two-wheelers would help in pricing five-year policies, the pricing for a three-year four-wheeler policy might be challenging.
Pricing a long-term product is a bit challenging compared to an annual product, said Adidamu. “We would work along with the regulator so that appropriate pricing evolves. The multi-year two-wheeler policies too started just a couple of years ago, and the experience will build up only after a few more years. The nature of the portfolio looks very different in initial years, because the very nature of third-party claims, the reporting of the claims is a little delayed," he said.
A multi-year policy at the time of sale of a vehicle will ensure there’s a cover for at least a few years, given that a lot of people do not choose to renew a policy. However, people may still choose to not renew after the mandatory three or five years.
"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels 🚀 Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
