Insurance Company License in India
In order to sell insurance products, one must first obtain an insurance company license from the insurance commissioner of that particular state. The introduction of the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI)) has brought about significant changes to the insurance sector overall. Moreover, it is the IRDAI that grants the permit for different classes of insurance businesses, including life insurance, fire insurance, and marine insurance. If the selling of insurance business is on an interstate basis, a license is required in every state where the business is carried out.
The registration of insurance company and issuance of insurance company license is regulated under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Registration of Indian Insurance Companies) (Seventh Amendment) Regulation, 2016.
As per a 2020 report, 57 insurance companies exist in India out of which 24 are in the business of life insurance, whereas the remaining 33 are in the business of insurance other than life insurance.
Get your Insurance Business License registered in the fastest possible manner.
It usually takes 2 to 6 months, depending upon government approval.
👉 Incorporation of a Private/Public Limited Company. Click Here
👉 Filing of application to RBI: Filing of application to IRDA
👉 Evaluation of Application: IRDA must assess the application & call for information and inquiries with the applicant.
👉 Granting License: IRDA license must be given who satisfies all the eligibility criteria for Insurance Business License.
👉 Online Review of license: The name of applicants for insurance licenses must be displayed in the official IRDA site.
👉 IRDA Approvals : In-principle approval to issue insurance license shall be taken up by IRDA for 6 months after which IRDA shall extend the approval and issue final license.
- Insurance Businesses looking to expand or scale operations on higher level
DSC Application
Name approval form filing
Preparation of Incorporation Documents
Getting those docs signed by the respective stakeholders
Filing of Forms with IRDA
Receipt of Insurance License
- The certificate of incorporation of the company (Companies Act 2013).
- Certified copies of the charter documents (Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association).
- A five-year business plan that has been duly approved by the Board of Directors.
- Details of all the directors, including their names, addresses and occupation-related details duly verified.
- Certified copy of the document containing the shareholding agreement between Indian promoters and foreign investors.
- Certified copy of the Annual Report of the Indian promoters and foreign investors for the preceding five years.
All you need to know to start a Insurance Business in India!
Eligibility Criteria for Insurance Company License
Eligibility Criteria for Insurance Company License
- Any company among the prescribed class of companies
- Any company that is recognized by the IRDAI.
- Any LLP registered under the LLP Act, 2008.
- Any company that was an insurance provider before the commencement of the Act, provided only a maximum of 49% of the paid-up capital is allowed to be held by a foreign company.
- The net worth of the company should be a minimum of Rs.10 lakh.
- In terms of the incorporation of LLPs, the registered name should contain the words “insurance marketing firm”.
Procedure to Obtain Insurance Company License
Procedure to Obtain Insurance Company License
In order to initiate the procedure, the person who wishes to set up an insurance business has to first make an application using Form IRDA/R1 accompanied by the necessary documents, including:
- The certificate of incorporation of the company (Companies Act 2013).
- Certified copies of the charter documents (Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association).
- A five-year business plan that has been duly approved by the Board of Directors.
- Details of all the directors, including their names, addresses and occupation-related details duly verified.
- Certified copy of the document containing the shareholding agreement between Indian promoters and foreign investors.
- Certified copy of the Annual Report of the Indian promoters and foreign investors for the preceding five years.
The form IRDA/R1 is submitted for the issuance of the registration application.
If all goes according to plan and if the reviewing authority (IRDAI) finds the initial submission of Form IRDA/R1 satisfactory, the candidate may further apply for the issuance of the registration certificate in Form IRDA/R2.
If this application is made for the business of Life Insurance, General Insurance, or Health Insurance, there must be documentary evidence proving that the paid-up capital of the business is at least Rs.100 crore.
If the application is made for the business of Reinsurance, there must be documentary evidence proving that the paid-up capital of the business is at least Rs.200 crore.
The form will have to be submitted along with the following documents:
- The affidavit provided by the Indian promoters and foreign investors stating that the paid-up capital available is adequate even after the exclusion of the preliminary expenses.
- Certified copies of the prospectus.
- Documentary evidence showing proof of payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs. 5 lakh.
- Document certifying the compliance of FDI Rules, ensuring that the ceiling on capital held by foreign investments stands at 49% and is being adhered to.
- Practicing Chartered Accountant or Company Secretary certification as required.
The reviewing authority shall grant the certificate of registration to the insurance company in Form IRDA/R3 if it is satisfied with all aspects of the application. However, if it is not satisfied with the application, it shall reject the same, and make known the rejection within 30 days of the order or rejection along with the reasons for the same. Within 30 days of the order of rejection being received by the applicant, he/she may prefer an appeal to the Securities Appellate Tribunal regarding the rejection.
Where the applicant has been granted the certificate of registration, he/she is obligated to commence the business within 12 months of receiving the registration certificate. If the applicant fails to do so, the registration shall stand lapsed. However, if the reason for non-commencement is genuine, the authorities may grant an extension of 12 months to the applicant to do the same.
Non-eligibility of the applicant to file IRDA/R1
Non-eligibility of the applicant to file IRDA/R1
An applicant will stand ineligible to file IRDA/R1 if:
- The application for the request of registration has been rejected by IRDAI.
- The name of the applicant does not contain the words ‘insurance’ or ‘assurance’.
- For any reason, the foreign investors or Indian promoters have exited the project.
- A time period of two years has not elapsed since the latest rejection of the application by the authorities
