2 hrs ago
Insurance Shares Tumble as Regulator Proposes Commission Cuts
Shares of several insurance companies fell sharply after a regulator suggested changing how insurers can pay distributors.
The proposals are part of a consultation paper, so they are not yet final rules.
The regulator wants to reduce companies’ expenses and make insurance more affordable.
It also wants to address problems such as mis-selling.
However, analysts warned that lower commissions could make it harder for agents and distributors to sell insurance.
They said this could hurt the goal of expanding insurance coverage.
Some insurers may be affected more because they depend more on certain distribution channels.
LIC and SBI Life were described as relatively better placed under the proposals.
Max Financial, ICICI Prudential Life, HDFC Life and SBI Life shares fell by up to 10%.
IRDAI proposed reducing expense-of-management limits for life and general insurers from the existing 30%.
The consultation paper proposed sharp cuts to first-year commissions across savings, term, health and motor insurance.
It also proposed limiting single-premium credit-life commissions to 2% and restricting certain health-renewal commissions.
Analysts said LIC and SBI Life may be less affected, while some insurers may need to restructure distribution economics.
- Who
- Max Financial, ICICI Prudential Life, HDFC Life and SBI Life were among the insurers whose shares fell; IRDAI issued the consultation paper.
- What
- Insurance stocks fell by up to 10% after proposed limits on expenses and commissions.
- Where
- The article concerns the insurance market and companies operating in India.
- When
- The shares fell “today,” according to the article; no calendar date was provided.
- Why
- Investors reacted to proposed reductions in expense limits and insurance-distribution commissions.
Regulatory Reform Case
Industry Impact Concerns
Lower costs and mis-selling
Regulatory Reform Case
The proposed reforms are intended to address the root causes of mis-selling and make insurance more affordable.
Industry Impact Concerns
Emkay Global warned that sharply lower distribution commissions could make selling insurance economically unviable.
Insurance expansion
Regulatory Reform Case
The changes are linked to the regulator’s growth agenda and its “Insurance for All by 2047” objective.
Industry Impact Concerns
Analysts said the proposals could backfire by weakening distribution and hurting the regulator’s expansion goals.
Insurer readiness
Regulatory Reform Case
The proposals would impose common limits and commission restrictions across specified insurance products and distribution arrangements.
Industry Impact Concerns
Emkay Global said insurers including HDFC Bank, Max Financial and ICICI Prudential Life would need to adjust their distribution economics to comply.
Key facts
- Share movement
- Insurance shares mentioned in the article fell by up to 10%.
- Expense limits
- The proposal would reduce life-insurance expense-of-management limits to 15% of gross direct premium income in two years and 12.5% in five years.
- General insurance limit
- For general insurance, including standalone health insurance, the proposed limit is 20% of gross direct premium income in five years, down from 30%.
- Credit-life commission
- Single-premium credit-life commissions would be capped at 2% under the proposal.
- Health commissions
- Proposed commissions on health renewals and porting would be 5% for distribution entities and 10% for agents.
- Potentially less-affected insurers
- Bernstein said LIC and SBI Life were relatively better placed; Emkay Global also identified Star Health as less affected.
- Industry concern
- Emkay Global said drastic commission cuts could make insurance distribution less viable and less attractive as a vocation.
Quotes
Emkay Global
Financial research and brokerage firm commenting on the proposed insurance reforms
“However, the drastic cut in distribution commission would also make insurance distribution an unviable business and an unattractive vocation.”
businesstoday.in
“In this backdrop, SBI Life, LIC, and Star Health will be among the less-impacted.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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