IRDA proposes to change option, General Insurance companies may not need to list shares

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) proposes to give an option to general insurance companies to stay back from listing their shares, but the regulator retained the right to order any in the industry to take the company public.

"The draft regulations plan to make no provisions for mandatory divestment," Irda said in a draft circular."It empowers the Authority to issue direction to an Indian insurance company to go for an initial public offering (IPO) if the circumstance warrants so. Such a company , within a period of one year from the date of such direction shall comply with these regulations." This is an escape route for general insurers who do not plan to list their companies. Earlier, the Insurance Act 1938 has made it mandatory for insurance companies to divest shares after 10 years into operation, be it life or general insurance companies.

There are 24 general insurance companies, of which six are specialised insurance companies dealing with health, agriculture and credit insurance. No general insurance companies have expressed any in tention to raise capital through diluting shares to the public. In the life insurance sector, HDFC Life is expected to be the first to list its shares on the stock exchanges.

"Irda has started consulting and engaging with the industry on all key issues which is very positive," said a CEO of a general insurance company. Irda  has asked companies to respond by October 9. The Amendment to the Insurance Act brought in by the government has given power to the regulator to frame rules including capital raising and listing. State-run insurers such as Oriental Insurance can also go for an IPO as the new Insurance Act permits them over the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972. 

Source: http://generalinsuranceindia.weebly.com/blog/irda-proposes-to-change-option-general-insurance-companies-may-not-need-to-list-shares