General insurance business means business other than life insurance business. General insurance companies operating in India were nationalised on 13th May, 1971 by the Ordinance of the President of India. The accounts of the General Insurance Companies were maintained according to the provisions of Insurance act 1938. Under the previous law, separate Revenue Account had to be prepared for each type of business-fire, marine, accident, etc.
The following accounts were used to be prepared in the case of General Insurance Companies:
(a) Revenue Account:
A separate revenue account is prepared for each type of business. Incomes and expenses of a particular business are recorded separately and profit or loss arising there from is transferred to Profit and Loss Account.
(b) Profit and Loss Account:
General incomes and expenses not belonging to a particular business are recorded in it and balance of profit or loss is transferred to Profit and Loss Appropriation Account.
(c) Profit and Loss Appropriation Account:
Appropriations of profit for various purposes are shown in it and it’s balance is transferred to balance sheet.
(d) Balance Sheet:
It shows various assets and liabilities of general insurance companies. Performa of Balance Sheet is same for general and life insurance companies.
Before the incorporation of IRDA Act, 2000 which allowed private players, general insurance business was conducted by General Insurance Corporation of India and its four subsidiaries.
But now, Final account of general insurance business are required to be prepared as per IRDA Regulations, 2002 which consist of:
(a) Revenue Account (as per Form B-RA);
(b) Profit and Loss Account (Form B-PL);
(c) Balance Sheet (Form B-BS).
The summaries of these accounts are as follows:
-
Revenue Account:
A separate Revenue Account (Form B-RA) is prepared for each type of business e.g., fire, marine etc. It records the incomes and expenses of a particular business and profit/loss is transferred to Profit and Loss Account.
-
Profit and Loss Account:
(Form B-PL) Besides, profit/loss of different business, it records incomes and expenses of general nature and it shows how the profit has been appropriated. Its balance is shown in the Balance Sheet.
-
Balance Sheet:
(Form B-BS) It records various assets and liabilities of the General Insurance Companies.
It must be observed that difference in revenue account does reveal profit or loss of business. The revenue account is closed by transfer to respective fund account viz., fire fund, marine fund etc. Ascertainment of profit under General Insurance Business. General insurance policies are normally issued for short terms renewable every year.
It is quite possible that on the accounting date, some of the contracts are still alive and hence represent unexpired risk. A suitable provision is made for that unexpired risk on a generalized basis as it is impractical to create it for specific policies. Sometimes an additional provision is also created. The total of reserve for unexpired risk and additional risk is collectively termed as ‘Respective Fund’ which may be fire fund, marine fund, motor vehicle fund, etc.
The revenue account starts and ends with respective value of the fund besides recording normal revenue and expenditure. The difference of the account is called profits or loss and is transferred to Profit and Loss Account.
Reserve for Unexpired Insurance:
According to the provisions of Insurance Act, 1938, provision for unexpired risks in case of fire, marine, cargo and miscellaneous business is to be created-@ 40% of the net premiums received and 100% in case for marine Hull. However, income determination of general insurance business is done as per section 44 of Income-tax Act, 1961 and Rule 6 E of the Income-tax Rules.
They provide for reserve for unexpired risk allowed as deduction up to 50% of net premium income in case of fire insurance and miscellaneous insurance and 100% of net premium in case of marine insurance.
As such, reserve is to be made at 50% of the net premium income in case of fire and other insurance businesses and at 100% of the net premium income in case of marine insurance business. A prudent insurance company may make additional reserve in case of fire and miscellaneous insurance business, if it considers it necessary.
Commission to Agents:
Commission on policies effected through insurance agents cannot exceed 5% of the premium in respect of fire and marine business and 10% in case of miscellaneous business. In case of policies effected through principal agents the maximum limits are 20% for fire and marine policies and 15% in the case of miscellaneous insurance less any commission payable to an insurance agent with respect to the policy concerned. Certain concessions are available in this respect to principal agents having a foreign domicile.
Claims:
Claims paid must include all expenses directly incurred in settling claims such as legal expenses, medical expenses, surveyor’s expenses etc.
No claim of Rs. 20,000 or more can be paid, except as the Controller of Insurance may otherwise direct, unless there is a report in respect thereof from an approved surveyor or loss assessor (licensed under the Insurance Act).
3 thoughts on “Insurance Company Accounts”