Health, motor or property cover may cost more from April

Buying general insurance such as health, motor or property cover could cost more from April. The finance ministry has asked the national reinsurer, General Insurance Corporation, to stop underwriting loss-making businesses. The government has also said if insurers take on loss-making businesses, they should bear the risk in their books or increase premium rates.

While insurance companies have a choice in accepting or rejecting insurance proposals, GIC has to accept the risks that are passed on. In addition to the compulsory portion, insurance companies reinsure other parts of their portfolio with GIC to protect their own balance sheets.

In a communication on February 7, the finance ministry has informed GIC that it should not provide reinsurance for covers that are loss-making and, for such covers, insurers should make arrangements on their own or take risks on their own books.

Investment limit in Infra bonds to be increased?

The government is considering more than doubling the investment limit in infrastructure bonds eligible for tax rebates as part of a strategy to provide a funding boost to a vital sector while having a beneficial effect across the economy.

The finance ministry’s department of economic affairs, as part of its suggestions for the 2012-13 budget, had proposed raising the investment limit in these bonds to Rs 50,000 from Rs 20,000 now. The revenue department is expected to take a final decision after weighing expected economic gains against short-term revenue losses.

The tax-free bonds are a good option not just for investors, but also for issuers to raise funds.

After a gap of five years, the 2010-11 budget reintroduced tax breaks on infrastructure bonds, allowing investments of up to Rs 20,000 in these instruments to be deducted from taxable income and effectively helping individuals save Rs 6,180 in taxes.

Initially announced for one year, this concession was extended for another year last year. Now the economic affairs department wants to continue the tax rebate into the next fiscal with a higher limit and a larger number of eligible issuers.

In 2010-11, IDFC, REC, IIFCL and a few other companies together raised more than Rs 3,000 crore. In the current year, these infrastructure companies have already sought permission to raise about Rs 13,500 crore.