Functions of IRDA - Post Wise Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions of IRDA are protecting policyholder interests, intermediaries solvency margin, supervising the tariff advisory committee, registering and regulating insurance companies, ensuring quick resolution of claims, investment of PF funds, prevent frauds and malpractices in insurance marketing firms.

The functions of IRDA are drawn from Section 14 of the IRDAI Act, 1999, which lays down the duties, powers and functions of IRDA. As the concept of security is becoming more and more necessary, life insurance and then general insurance were born. When insurance was first introduced in India, it was governed by laws. 

Nonetheless, a distinct regulatory organisation known as the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, or IRDA, was established in order to provide a stand-alone agency to supervise the operations of the expanding insurance industry.

Table of Contents

• What is the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA)?
• Functions of IRDA
• Significance of Functions of IRDA
• How Does IRDA Work?

What is the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA)?

The primary agency or monitoring authority in charge of policing the nation's insurance market is the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). It establishes guidelines and standards for how the insurance sector is to operate. 

The goals are to advance the insurance sector as a whole and safeguard policyholder interests. Insurance businesses receive regular advice from the IRDA, regarding modifications to the laws and regulations. 

Also Check: IRDA Exam 2024

Functions of IRDA

Under the section 14 of the IRDAI Act, 1999 lays down the duties, powers and functions of

IRDA according to which there are basically two functions of IRDA, which are listed below:

1. The Authority will be tasked with ensuring the orderly growth of the insurance and reinsurance industries while adhering to the terms of this Act and any other current laws.
2. The Authority's duties and authority shall encompass, without limiting the generality of the provisions mentioned in sub-section (1), the following:

(a) Provide the applicant with a certificate of registration; 

(b) Safeguard the policyholders' interests in relation to policy assignment, policyholder nomination, insurable interest, insurance claim settlement, policy surrender value, and other terms and conditions of insurance contracts;

(c) Outlining the necessary credentials, conduct guidelines, and hands-on instruction for intermediaries or insurance intermediaries and agents

(d) Outlining the standards of behaviour for surveyors and loss assessors; 

(e) Encouraging efficiency in the insurance industry's operations; 

(f) Endorsing and overseeing professional associations related to the insurance and reinsurance sectors;

(g) Charging fees and other costs in order to carry out the objectives of this Act;

(h) Requesting data from, inspecting, investigating, and

The Tariff Advisory Committee under section 64U of the Insurance Act, 1938 (4 of 1938) controls and regulates the rates, advantages, terms, and conditions that insurers may offer in respect of general insurance business; 

(i) Investigations, including audits of insurers, intermediaries, insurance intermediaries, and other organisations connected to the insurance business; 

(j) Specifying the form and manner in which books of account shall be maintained and statement of accounts shall be rendered by insurers and other insurance intermediaries;

(k) Controlling how insurance companies invest their money; 

(l) Controlling how their margin of solvency is maintained; 

(m) Resolving disputes between insurers and intermediaries or insurance intermediaries; (n) Overseeing the Tariff Advisory Committee's operations;

(o) Determining the proportion of the insurer's premium income that will go toward funding the professional organisation promotion and regulation programs mentioned in clause (f); 

(p) Determining the proportion of life and general insurance business that the insurer will conduct in the rural or social sector and

(q) Using any additional authority that may be prescribed.

Also Check: IRDA Application Form 2024

Significance of Functions of IRDA

The insurance industry in India is regulated and developed by the independent Apex statutory agency, IRDA. Insurance in India began in 1850 when a general insurance organisation was established in Calcutta. Few functions of IRDA are listed below:

• Since then, a number of players have entered the market, each relating to businesses based on their regulations and rates, which has caused clients to become disillusioned and question the insurance's validity. 
• Eventually, the administration realised this reality and established the Independent Regulatory Authority (IRDA) in response to new requests that emerged after the market was oversaturated with insurance products. 
• In addition to serving as an insurance industry regulator, IRDA safeguards policyholder interests.
• In accordance with the Insurance Act, IRDA is motivated to ensure that newly registered insurance companies can conduct business in India and abroad, supporting the insurance industry's efforts to maintain the growth of insurance and policyholders.

How Does IRDA Work?

The IRDA, the highest authority in the insurance sector, makes sure that all rules and regulations are framed objectively and without favouring any specific insurance provider.

The primary focus of IRDA's activity is on policyholder interests, with the goal of ensuring justice and the industry's financial stability. Take note of the following positions that it primarily holds and functions of IRDA are listed below:

• Gives newly established insurance companies a certificate of registration.
• Establishes guidelines to guarantee that the policyholder's interests are met.
• Ensures that all claims are resolved fairly and that no insurer will voluntarily reject any claim.
• Controls the behaviour expectations of insurance companies, intermediaries, and other parties connected to the insurance sector.
• Offers resolutions for conflicts via the IRDA Ombudsman.
• Prevents unwarranted increases in insurance premium costs by controlling and regulating insurance prices.
• In order to grow both the urban and rural sectors, the apex authority is in charge of determining the minimum percentage limit of insurance companies for both general and life insurance.

Also Check: IRDA Syllabus 2024