Mandatory KYC for Travel and Other Insurance: IRDA

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Starting January 01, 2023, all insurance policyholders in India will be required to provide Know Your Customer (KYC) documents for the purchase of any type of insurance policy, including travel insurance.

The Insurance Regulator and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has mandated KYC for the purchase of new travel, health, auto, home, and other insurance policies. This rule applies to all types of insurance, including life, general, and health insurance.

Earlier, while purchasing an insurance policy the submission of KYC documents was optional however, as the new rules come into effect, insurers will now be required to collect these documents from their customers.

Benefits of KYC in Insurance

This new rule is expected to streamline the claim process and improve insurers’ risk assessment and pricing accuracy.

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Furthermore, for insurance companies, having a detailed profile of customers via KYC documents may also help to reduce the risk of fraudulent claims.

A proper KYC mechanism will also aid in the maintenance of a centralised database of policy records, which will benefit all stakeholders in the insurance value chain.

Documents Required for KYC

To comply with the new KYC rules, policyholders will need to submit photo IDs and proof of address documents such as a passport, driver’s license, or utility bill.

Currently, policyholders must provide a PAN card if their total insurance premium in a fiscal year is Rs 50,000 or more.

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Existing policyholders with insurance premiums of less than Rs 50,000 in a financial year will be required to submit a PAN/Form 60 at a later date to be determined by the government, according to IRDAI regulations.

Documents Required for Travel Insurance

There are several documents that may be required when purchasing a travel insurance policy, depending on the specific policy and the insurance provider. Some common documents that may be required include:

  1. Personal identification documents such as a passport or driver’s license
  2. Proof of citizenship or residency
  3. Proof of payment for the travel arrangements (e.g. flight or hotel booking confirmation)
  4. Itinerary or travel plans
  5. Medical history and any relevant medical documents (e.g. proof of pre-existing conditions)
  6. Contact information for next of kin or emergency contacts

It is important to carefully review the requirements of your specific travel insurance policy and to provide all necessary documents in a timely manner.


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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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