What is the role of Insurance Commission?

The Insurance Commission is a government agency under the Department of Finance. The Commission supervises and
regulates the operations of life and non-life companies, mutual benefit associations, and trusts for charitable uses. It
issues licenses to insurance agents, general agents, resident agents, underwriters, brokers, adjusters and actuaries. It
has also the authority to suspend or revoke such licenses.

Why does the Government supervise the operations of insurance companies and their
representatives?
Insurance business exists to serve the public. It is therefore charged with public interest

What is the address of the Insurance Commission?

The Insurance Commission is located at 1071 United Nations Avenue, Ermita, Manila, with Tel. # 523-84-61 up to 70
(Trunk Line), 525-20-15 (Office of the Insurance Commissioner), 524-47-84 (Office of the Deputy Commissioner), Fax #
522-14-34, and E-mail ocom@insurance.gov.ph.

Who heads the Insurance Commission?

Insurance Commissioner Atty. Emmanuel F. Dooc

Does the Commission have the power to adjudicate insurance claims and complaints
involving any loss, damage or liability?
Yes. The Insurance Code, as amended, empowers the Commission to adjudicate insurance claims and complaints
involving
any
loss,
damage
or
liability
where
the
amount
involved
does
not
exceed
P 100,000.00 for any single claim. Decisions or orders of the Insurance Commission may be appealed to the Appelate
Courts.

What other complaints can be filed with the Commission?

Informal and administrative complaints against malpractices of insurance companies or agents may also be filed with the
Commission. The Commission is ready at all times to render assistance in settling any controversy between an
insurance company and a policyholder relating to insurance.

Are pre-need companies offering memorial service plans, educational plans and pension
plans fall under the jurisdiction of the Insurance Commission?
Yes, pre-need companies offering products similar to insurance are now under the jurisdiction of the Insurance
Commission by virtue of Republic Act No. 9829 known as the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines as approved on
December 3, 2009.

What are the minimum qualifications required of applicants for insurance agents
examination?

They must be of good moral character and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude and
also have been trained in the kind of insurance presently contemplated in the license applied for.

Who may be exempted from taking the agents examination?

+ One who holds a valid and subsisting certificate of authority issued by the Commissioner
+ One who has successfully completed an academic course and/or training program satisfactory to the Insurance
Commissioner, in the kind or kinds of insurance contemplated in the license applied for
+ One who, because of his previous connection with any insurance company, or with any office or firm handling
insurance matters is found by the Insurance Commissioner to be trustworthy and competent to transact the business
contemplated in the license applied for.

Who may be insured?

Anyone except a public enemy may be insured

What may be an insurable interest in life insurance consist of?

Every person has an insurable interest in the life and health:
+ Of himself, of his spouse and his children;
+ Of any person on whom he depends wholly or in part for education or support; or in whom he has a pecuniary interest;
+ Of any person under legal obligation to him for the payment of money, or respecting property or services, of which
death or illness might delay or prevent performance; and
+ Of any person upon whose life any estate or interest vested in him depends.

What are the two (2) essential policy conditions which if violated will void the entire policy?
a) Willful concealment or misrepresentation by the insured of any material fact or circumstance concerning the subject
thereof
or
the
interest
of
the
insured
therein;
and
b) Any fraud or false swearing by the insured relating thereto.

What is the difference between suretyship and insurance?

In suretyship, three persons or entities are involved: the surety, the principal and the obligee. In insurance, there are only
two: the insurer and the insured.
In insurance, there is a theoretical distribution of losses over a group or classification of risks, the insurance company
assuming the losses of the individual insured. In suretyship, no losses is anticipated as the surety guarantees the
obligation of the principal.

In property insurance, is the insured entitled to a return of premium if he should decide to

discontinue his policy?
Yes, to a proportionate amount corresponding to the unexpired term of the policy; generally under the
short period scale provided for in the policy.

May the insurance company cancel a policy? If so, how? May the insured cancel a policy?
Yes, upon prior notice thereof to the insured. However, no notice of cancellation is effective unless it is based on the
occurrence, after the effective date of the policy, of one or more of the following:
+
Non-payment
of
premium;
+
Conviction
of
a
crime
arising
out
of
acts
increasing
the
hazard
insured
against;
+
discovery
of
fraud
or
material
misrepresentation;
+ discovery of willful or reckless act or omission increasing the hazard insured against;
+ physical changes in the property insured which result in the property becoming uninsurable; or
+ determination by the Commissioner that the continuation of the policy would place the insurer in violation of this Code.
The insured may cancel a policy upon notice to the insurer under the terms of the policy.

How soon may the amount of any loss or damage for which an insurer may be liable under a
non-life policy be paid? If the insurer refuses or fails to; pay the claim within the time
prescribed by law, may the insured collect interest for the duration of the delay?
The amount of any loss or damage shall be paid within 30 days after proof of loss is received by the insurer and
ascertainment of the loss or damage is made either by agreement between the insured and the insurer or by arbitration;
but if such ascertainment is not paid or made within 60 days after such receipt by the insurer of the proof of loss, then
the loss or damage shall be paid within 90 days after such receipt. Refusal or failure to pay the loss or damage will
entitle the assured to collect interest on the proceeds of the policy for the duration of the delay at the rate of twice the
ceiling prescribed by the Monetary Board, unless such failure or refusal to pay is based on the ground the claim is
fraudulent.

If the insured has any right of recovery against another party, may he be required to assign
such right to the insurance company?
Yes, the company may require from the insured an assignment of all rights of recovery against any party
for loss to the extent that payment therefore is made by the company.

Once a property is insured, must the insured inform the company of any change of the
description, occupation or construction of the property insured.
The insured must inform the company of any change thereto, otherwise, the company would be relieved
from liability unless the insured before the occurrence of any loss or damage obtained the sanction of the
company signified by an endorsement upon the policy.

What is the basis of the value of the insured property at the time of loss?
The actual cash value at the time of loss, that is, what it would cost to replace the property.

Is it the duty of an agent to determine the value of the property insured and the amount of
insurance to be carried? Explain.

No, the value of the property should be determined by the insured, rather than the agent. However, the
agent should guard as far as possible against over insurance and should check the amount of insurance
in relation to the actual value with the insured.

What are the effects of non-payment of premium?

Forfeiture of all rights under the policy.

What is Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance?

The Insurance Code (as amended) requires this coverage for the registration of motor vehicles. This
insurance covers passengers or third parties who may be killed or injured as a result of accidents arising
from the use of operation of such vehicles. The maximum amount of benefit under this policy is
P100,000.00

What is the meaning of Authorized Driver in a motor vehicle policy?

An authorized driver within the meaning of the policy is any of the following:
+ The insured; or
+ Any person driving on the Insureds order or with his permission.

What is the purpose of the errors and omissions insurance policy (professional liability or
professional indemnity policy) required of insurance or reinsurance broker before a license
could be issued.
To indemnify the applicant against any claim for breach of duty as insurance broker or reinsurance broker,
as the case may be, which may be available against such applicant by reason of any negligent act, error
or omission.

What do you understand by the no fault claim?

An insurance company issuing the cover shall pay any claim for death or bodily injuries sustained by a
passenger or third party without the necessity of proving fault or negligence of any kind. Immediate
payment shall be made provided that the total indemnity shall not exceed P10,000.00 upon presentation
of the following proofs of loss, namely:
1. police report of accident, and
2. death certificate and evidence sufficient to establish the proper payee, or medical report and evidence
of medical or hospital disbursement in respect of which refund is being claimed.

Does the no fault claim apply to claims on property wherein the insurance company is
under obligation to make payment immediately?
No, because the no fault claim applies only to death or bodily injuries and does not respond to claims
for third party property damage.