Irdai hikes minimum insurance cover to 15L for owner- driver

INSURERS MAY start issuing such covers effective from the date of receipt of this circular even while ensuring that the filing for these is done before Oct. 25.

New Delhi, Sept. 21: Insurance regulator Irdai has raised the minimum insurance cover for owner- driver to ` 15 lakh for a premium of ` 750 per annum, a move to provide some succour to road accident victims.

Currently, the capital sum insured ( CSI) under this section for motorised two- wheelers and private cars/ commercial vehicles is ` 1 lakh and ` 2 lakh, respectively.

However, a few general insurers have been offering add- on covers under package policies with higher CSI over and above the stipulated on payment of additional premium.

The regulator directed all general insurers to provide a minimum CSl of ` 15 lakh under Compulsory Personal Accident ( CPA) cover for owner-driver under Liability Only to all classes of vehicles at the premium rate of ` 750 per annum for annual policy.

This rate will be valid until further notice, Irdai said in a circular.

“A higher CSI may be provided over and above ` 15,00,000 through Optional Covers under Liability Only and under Section lll of Package Policies/ Bundled Covers on payment of additional premium at the option of the insured,” it said.

This move by the regulator of enhancing the capital sum insured ofc Compulsory Personal Accident Cover for owner-driver to ` 15 lakh is a step in the right direction, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance MD and CEO Tapan Singhel said.