IRDA to bring Common Service Centres for selling simple policies in rural areas

IRDA to bring Common Service Centres for selling simple policies in rural areas 

HYDERABAD: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) is roping in Common Service Centres as a platform for insurers to sell simple policies in rural areas. 

"We are bringing CSCs as insurance brokers to sell policies. In six months time it may come in full-fledged manner. We are going to make test market it in two to three months time," IRDA Chairman T S Vijayan said. 

Common Service Centres, a cornerstone of the National e-Governance Plan, offers web-enabled .. e-governance services in rural areas. 

"For the test market, we are in discussions with some companies. We select some districts where this e-seva has taken up really well and companies should also be comfortable in selling in those areas," he told reporters on the sidelines of a programme organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. 

In his speech, Vijayan said the aim of the project is to ensure that insurance penetration goes up in rural areas. 

"They (CSC) will be selling simple insurance products such as tractor insurance, vehicle insurance," he said. 

The insurance penetration in India is pegged at 3.84 per cent and has the potential to go up to 6 per cent in coming years, he noted. 

According to him, assets managed by all the insurance companies are worth Rs 20 lakh crore. 

Replying to a query on Bancassurance, he said discussions are going on to make banks as brokers rather than agents. 

Vijayan said ..