Extended Free-Look Period: A New Era in Customer-Friendly Insurance

The Indian government plans to launch extensive reforms in insurance sector policy to protect consumers and increase insurance coverage rates. Among the recent changes in the insurance sector, the free-look period now extends for one year instead of one month.  

This new policy reform enables policyholders to review their insurance contracts for an entire year before deciding to cancel them if they believe the terms are unsatisfactory, thus preventing mis-selling. 

What Is the Free-Look Period? 

The insurance policy provides customers with a free-look period which enables them to terminate their coverage without paying any additional fees. The standard duration of this period used to be one month. However, the tenure did not provide customers enough time to review their policy details thoroughly.  

The one-year extension of this period enables policyholders to thoroughly review their coverage benefits along with other conditions while ensuring the policy meets their requirements. The extended time helps customers confirm their policy purchases that fulfil their requirements. 

A Composite Licence for Simpler Offerings 

A composite licence system is considered to be a major upcoming insurance reform. With this new licencing structure, insurance providers can combine life insurance products with non-life insurance products within their schemes.  

The industry seeks to create a streamlined regulatory structure, boosting operational performance throughout the sector. Consumers obtain better service through composite licences as these policies unite multiple types of insurance coverage [under a single policy] while streamlining process and transparency. 

Strengthening Regulations to Prevent Mis-Selling 

The insurance sector experiences ongoing mis-selling problems as agents and banks often force customers to buy unnecessary insurance policies. The government plans to establish new regulations which will control unsolicited sales activities.  

A new requirement mandates insurance providers to contact customers through callback before concluding any insurance sale. The company must perform this verification process to make sure the customer understands the policy before the sale is finalised. 

The government has established a requirement for insurance policy-selling agents to receive thorough training and full certification before they can operate. The implemented steps work to minimise situations where customers purchase inappropriate or unnecessary policies to shield them from potential financial loss. 

Considering 100% FDI for Enhanced Growth 

The government plans to enhance foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector by 100% through necessary legal changes. The industry expects this move to attract extra capital that will create beneficial market competition and enhance service quality throughout the sector. The regulatory authorities plan to update rules regarding investment practises, profit transfer procedures, and organisational frameworks to promote enduring industry growth. 

Addressing Mis-Selling Practices Directly 

Customers become victims of mis-selling practices because agents and banks force insurance policies on them without performing proper need assessments or disclosing policy details. People in rural areas experience these types of practices frequently since they have limited financial knowledge, making them susceptible to agent persuasion leading to coverage that proves burdensome.  

The government intends to create a structured policy surrender procedure which will guide customers who want to cancel their policies. The implementation of strict rules will help stop unwanted sales activities, guaranteeing policyholders have complete knowledge of their choices. 

 

Final Thoughts

Author Bio

Paybima Team

Paybima is an Indian insurance aggregator on a mission to make insurance simple for people. Paybima is the Digital arm of the already established and trusted Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd., a reputed name in the insurance broking industry with 17 years of experience. Paybima promises you the easy-to-access online platform to buy insurance policies, and also extend their unrelented assistance with all your policy related queries and services.

Choose from India’s top insurers

Latest Post

Having health insurance is now a top priority among potential policyholders, who are increasingly aware of the importance of accessing quality healthcare at an affordable cost. Not only does it handle finances, but it also gives peace of mind during medical emergencies. Getting coverage without dealing with cash or documentation makes the cashless claim process an attractive feature of the health insurance. 

Rather than making an advance payment and waiting for reimbursement, policyholders can receive healthcare from network hospitals without incurring out-of-pocket expenses. With its support, worrying about finances becomes less of a concern, and managing healthcare bills becomes simpler. For emergencies, where time and money are of concern, using cashless claims is very helpful for individuals and their families.
 

See nowSee now

If you are planning to buy two-wheeler insurance and are seeking answers to some frequently asked questions, look no further. Read on to know the two wheeler insurance FAQs related to bike insurance policy in this post.

See nowSee now

Choudhary is a privately employed person in Bangalore, and he uses a car to commute to his office daily. While driving his vehicle one day, he met with an accident that resulted in major damages and rendered his car useless. Since he had a car insurance plan, he claimed total loss and that helped him manage expenses without causing any financial burden on him.

See nowSee now

Buying two-wheeler insurance online can be a bit overwhelming for first-time buyers and even for policyholders with prior experience. While it is recommended to compare insurance plans before buying them, having some basic understanding will help you extract the most out of them.

See nowSee now

If you think lifestyle-related health issues only show up after 40, think again. Youth no longer guarantees immunity. Today’s 25 - 35 age group is increasingly facing medical issues that only plague older adults. The reason? Long working hours at the desk, deliveries on speed dial, and a social life that rarely includes a decent amount of sleep are some of the reasons for the early onset of medical conditions like diabetes, anxiety, and hypertension.   

See nowSee now