Premium Rates for Motor Third Party Insurance Liability only cover – 2012-13

IRDA announces rise in the Motor Insurance Third Party Premium in financial year 2012-13………….

The Authority refers to its notification no. IRDA/NL/ NTFN/MOTP/ 066/04/2011 dated 15th April 2011 on the captioned subject. As per the said notification the Authority had to review the premium rates for motor third party liability only cover and adjust them annually using the formula:

P(t) = C1(t) * CII(t-1)+ C2(t)

Where P(t) is the motor third party premium applicable to the financial year ‘t’, CII(t-1) is the cost inflation index for the year ‘t-1’ as notified by CBDT, and C1(t) & C2(t) are the parameters applicable to the financial year ‘t’ whose values shall be as determined and notified by the Authority in each financial year based on the experience measured in terms of average claim amounts, frequency and expenses involved in servicing the motor TP business.

Accordingly the Authority has undertaken the actuarial review of the premium rates for motor third party liability only cover for different categories of motor vehicles for the financial years 2007-08 to 2010-11. The premium projections for the year 2012-13 are calculated using the average growth rate in severity assuming that the average frequency remains constant.

This is also reflected in the actual experience of the date where the claims pay out show an upward trend because of increase in court awards, increase in wages, inflation, etc. The frequency of claims shows as steady trend. This is also a reasonably correct assumption as there is no material change in the condition of roads, driving conditions, drivers, etc which may cause the frequency (number of accident per thousand and vehicles) to alter significantly.

The formula as notified earlier has been applied on each of the classification codes as contained in the erstwhile All India Motor Tariff. However, having regard to the range and development of data available for certain classifications, the authority has moderated the growth in premium for the following class codes:

i.    class code 14 cc code 49 (two wheelers – exceeding 350cc)

ii.    class code 19 (public goods carrying vehicles (3 wheelers)

iii.   class code 20 {private goods carrying vehicles (3 wheelers}

iv.   class code 22 cc code 64 (passenger carrying vehicles (3 wheelers)}

v.   class code 24 (two wheelers (hire or reward)}

vi.   class code 28 (stand-alone trailer)

In accordance with the above and in exercise of the powers vested in the authority under Section14(2) (i)of the IRDA Act, 1999, the Authority hereby notifies the premium rates applicable to Motor Third Party Liability Insurance business with effect from 01st April 2012 as given in Annexure “A”.

Insurers are advised to be mindful of the concerns expressed by vehicle owners about both the rates K availability of insurance. Considering the mandatory nature of motor third party insurance, insurers are advised to ensure that motor third party insurance is made available at their underwriting offices and that requests for insurance are processed expeditiously and policies are issued promptly. The Authority will treat any complaint of non-availability of insurance or use of methods to deny/delay the client seeking insurance cover, seriously.

Insurers are not permitted to cancel the current insurance policies and issue fresh policies to effect new premium rates. This notification as well as the enclosed schedule of premium rates shall be prominently displayed on the Notice Board of every underwriting office of the Insurers where it can be viewed by the public. This notification is issued in supersession of the Authority’s earlier Notification Ref: IRDA/NL/NTFN/MOTP/066/04/2011 dated 15th April 2011.