Government Regulation of Insurance Companies

Abstract

Exact details of laws regulating insurance companies may vary from country to country, but they typically follow the same pattern. First, legislators prescribe a licensing system controlling access to the national insurance market. Usually unlicensed insurers are also forbidden from transacting business. Secondly, the regulatory authority is given special powers to enable it to monitor the trading activities of licensed insurers. The more important of these ‘ongoing’ regulatory powers usually takes the form of financial and accounting requirements. The licensing and control of insurance companies are discussed in detail later on, but first a short rationale for the general regulation of insurance companies is necessary.