What Is IRDAI and Why It Matters When You Buy Insurance

By Sagar NarangUpdated:
What Is IRDAI and Why It Matters When You Buy Insurance

Most people buy insurance without thinking about the regulatory framework that makes it work. Which is fine — you don't need to think about electricity regulation every time you flip a switch. But unlike electricity, insurance is a financial contract that can fail you in a crisis if the entity you're buying from isn't properly regulated. Understanding IRDAI takes about five minutes and tells you why regulation matters for your protection.


What IRDAI Is

IRDAI — Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India — is the government body responsible for regulating the Indian insurance industry. It was established by the IRDAI Act of 1999 and is headquartered in Hyderabad.

Its mandate covers: licensing insurance companies, agents, and brokers; setting rules for policy terms and claims settlement; protecting policyholder interests; and developing the insurance market in India.

Before IRDAI existed, India's insurance sector was a government monopoly — LIC for life, GIC for general. IRDAI's creation opened the market to private players, created the regulatory framework for competition, and established the policyholder protections that now govern every policy you buy.


What IRDAI Actually Does That Affects You

Licenses every entity in the chain. An insurance company cannot operate in India without an IRDAI certificate of registration. An agent cannot sell insurance without an IRDAI license. A broker cannot operate without IRDAI broker registration. This licensing creates a legal accountability structure — unlicensed entities that take premiums and don't pay claims have committed fraud, not just breach of contract.

Policywings holds IRDAI Direct Broker License No. DB 835. This number is publicly verifiable at IRDAI's website. Any IRDAI-licensed entity's credentials are checkable.

Sets minimum solvency requirements. Insurers are required to maintain a minimum solvency ratio of 1.5x — meaning they must hold assets significantly exceeding their projected claim liabilities. This is why your insurer can pay your claim even when many policyholders claim simultaneously (after a flood, for example). Without solvency requirements, an insurer could collect premiums, invest them poorly, and be unable to pay claims.

Defines claim settlement timelines. IRDAI regulations require insurers to settle claims within defined periods — 30 days for straightforward claims from the date all documents are received. If the insurer delays without reason, they pay interest (2% above the bank rate) on the delayed settlement. This isn't well-known among policyholders, but it's a real regulatory protection.

Mandates the free-look period. IRDAI requires all life and health policies to include a 30-day free-look period during which you can return the policy for a refund. This is a regulatory protection, not a company policy — it applies across all insurers.

Protects against arbitrary cancellation. IRDAI regulations limit the circumstances under which an insurer can cancel a policyholder's policy. Proven fraud is the primary ground. An insurer cannot cancel your health insurance because you filed too many claims or because you became a higher-risk patient after a diagnosis.

Manages the grievance system. IRDAI operates IGMS — the Integrated Grievance Management System — where policyholders can file formal complaints about any insurer, broker, or agent. If your complaint isn't resolved by the insurer within 30 days, IGMS provides regulatory escalation. The Insurance Ombudsman network (19 offices across India) provides binding dispute resolution for individual policyholder complaints.


IRDAI Licensing: Why You Should Verify Before Buying

The practical protection IRDAI provides only applies if you're buying from an entity that's actually licensed. Unlicensed insurance agents, fraudulent brokers, and fake policy schemes exist — and they don't operate within IRDAI's framework.

How to verify:

  • Insurance companies: Check IRDAI's website (irdai.gov.in) for the list of registered insurers
  • Brokers and agents: Verify license numbers on IRDAI's agent/broker registries
  • Policy validity: After purchasing any policy, you can verify it at policyholder.gov.in

Any legitimate insurer or intermediary will provide their registration number on request. If someone selling you insurance refuses to provide this, stop the conversation.


IRDAI's Recent Regulatory Changes You Should Know About

September 2025 — GST removal on retail health and term insurance: GST (18%) was removed on individual health, personal accident, and travel insurance premiums, making retail insurance meaningfully cheaper.

2024 — PED waiting period cap: IRDAI capped the maximum pre-existing disease waiting period at 36 months across all health insurance plans. Insurers with 4-year waiting periods had to reduce them.

2025 — Insurance Fraud Monitoring Framework: New framework requiring insurers to implement AI-based fraud detection systems, effective April 2026.

Ongoing — Bima Sugam: IRDAI's digital insurance marketplace initiative, designed to make insurance purchase and claims more accessible through a unified government platform.


What to Do If Your Insurer Isn't Following the Rules

If a claim is rejected without a written explanation, if the insurer doesn't respond within mandated timelines, or if you believe your rights as a policyholder are being violated:

  1. File a formal complaint with the insurer's grievance redressal officer (all insurers are required to have one)
  2. If unresolved in 30 days, file at igms.irda.gov.in or call IRDAI's toll-free number: 155255 or 1800-4254-732
  3. If the dispute is about a claim or policy value below ₹50 lakh, approach the Insurance Ombudsman for your region — the service is free and the decisions are binding on insurers (not on policyholders, who can appeal to courts if unsatisfied)

These channels exist. IRDAI takes policyholder complaints seriously — insurer response rates and complaint resolutions are tracked and published annually.

To understand your rights under IRDAI's framework or to file a complaint through proper channels with support, call Policywings at +91-98111-67809.


Policywings Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. | IRDAI License No. DB 835 | A-57, 5th Floor, Sector-136, Noida | +91-98111-67809

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Explore: Life Insurance

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How Much Term Insurance Cover Do I Really Need?Life Insurance

How Much Term Insurance Cover Do I Really Need?

Before buying term insurance, most people ask how much cover do they really need. You can’t buy a plan just because someone suggested a number like ₹50 lakh or ₹1 crore. But it’s not the same for all. The right answer depends on your income, responsibilities and future plans. A life insurance term plan is meant to replace income and protect the financial future of your family. But it can effectively do as expected only if the coverage amount is properly calculated and not guessed. This blog will make it easy for you to understand. What Term Insurance Cover Is Actually Supposed to Do Before we jump to calculating numbers, we’ll begin with understanding the purpose of term insurance. It’s a trusted life insurance plan that is NOT designed to grow wealth or generate returns for you. Its sole purpose is to provide protection. In case something happens to you, the insurance payout should be enough to help your family in: Covering regular daily living expenses Repaying loans and liabilities Funding long-term goals like education, marriage or retirement Maintaining financial stability for many years All this makes it so important to choose the right coverage amount. Practical Way to Calculate Term Insurance Coverage All families don’t need the same coverage amount. Smart financial planners use a structured approach in which they consider these key components: Requirement for Income Replacement Take your annual income and multiply it by the number of years you think family would depend on those earnings. A common benchmark is 10-15x of your annual income (depending on age and financial dependents). For example: If annual income is ₹8 lakh, the coverage range would be ₹80 lakh to ₹1.2 crore This will make sure that your family has enough funds to manage daily expenses while they are adjusting to a new reality. Outstanding Loans and Liabilities Next, add all your existing liabilities like loans (car, home or personal), credit card balances and any other long-term liabilities. If your insurance payout cannot clear these dues then your family will face the burden. For instance, if your cover requirement as per income is ₹1.2 crore and you have a ₹46 lakh home loan, your total requirement is now ₹1.66 crore. A well-calculated life insurance term plan ensures your family is not burdened with EMIs in your absence. Future Financial Goals Think about your family’s future goals when calculating. Include: Education of children Marriage expenses Retirement planning for spouse These goals can be 10-20 years apart and require significant funds. If you ignore them today, you will be underinsured. This defeats the whole purpose of having life insurance. Existing Savings and Investments At last, subtract the financial assets that your dependents can rely on: Fixed deposits Mutual funds Provident fund balance Employer-provided life cover Personal savings Once you know this amount, you can prevent getting over-insurance and your premium will stay reasonable. What you get after this adjustment is your ideal coverage amount. Why Coverage Calculation Needs Expert Guidance Online formulas can only provide you with estimates. The assistance for insurance on Policywings simplifies the process for you. You don’t have to refer to what friends, colleagues or relatives have bought when we offer personalized guidance that considers: The pattern of your income The structure of your family Your future responsibilities With us, you don’t get a random plan but coverage that actually works in real situations. Choosing the Right Policy After Calculating the Cover Once the coverage amount is clear, it becomes a lot easier to select the right plan. So, when you buy insurance online, it’s suggested to look for: Fixed premiums you will pay for the entire policy term Flexible payout options Reliable claim settlement record of the insurer Strong, optional riders for more protection With online insurance, you can achieve higher transparency and reduced costs. This is why it is ideal for modern working individuals. Coverage Needs Change Over Time Your term insurance coverage should ideally be a sign of your current life stage. If you are an unmarried professional, you may need less cover than someone who has people dependent on them. With an increase in your income and responsibilities, coverage requirements may also change. Consultation matters a lot because you get explanations instead of just numbers. It tells why you need a certain coverage amount and how to align it with your financial goals. While a one-time calculation helps, you still need periodic review to keep your life insurance term plan relevant and effective Conclusion The right answer for the coverage needs comes from careful calculation and not guesswork. Consider all the possibilities and responsibilities. After all, a properly calculated life insurance term plan will work to protect your dignity, lifestyle and future plans of your loved ones. It’s ok if you’re unsure about the number but don’t rely on assumptions. Today, there is ease to buy insurance online and the availability of expert that will get you satisfactory coverage. For accurate calculation and personalized guidance, trust insurance on Policywings. You will be guided all the way, whether buying your first policy or reassessing your existing cover.

Written bySagar NarangPublished onJanuary 22, 2026