2023-08-24

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Motor Insurance Minimum Premium Rate Directive No. SIB/60/2023

The National Bank of Ethiopia establishes minimum premium rates for own damage motor insurance, prohibiting insurance companies from charging premiums below these specified flat rates. The directive sets specific percentage thresholds for various vehicle categories, such as 1.01% for private vehicles and 2.86% for public service vehicles with up to 16 seats. Any premium rate alterations made in December 2022 are declared null and void, and insurance companies must submit their own premium rates to the regulator within one month of the directive's effective date. Breaches of these minimum rates incur a penalty of 25,000 Birr per violation, and the directive enters into force on August 24, 2023.

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LICENSING AND SUPERVISION OF INSURANCE BUSINESS

Motor Insurance Minimum Premium Rate Directive No. SIB/60/2023

Whereas, insurance premium should be commensurate with a risk proposed for insurance;

Whereas, it is important to ensure that premium rates are adequate, fair and sufficient;

Whereas, it becomes necessary to culminate the unwarranted premium undercutting, ensure the stability of the insurance industry and protect the interest of policyholders;

Now, therefore, in accordance with Articles 58 and 64(2) of Insurance Business Proclamation No. 746/2012, as amended by Insurance Business (Amendment) Proclamation No.1163/2019, the National Bank of Ethiopia has hereby issued this Directive.

1. Short Title This Directive may be cited as "Motor Insurance Minimum Premium Rate Directive No. SIB/60/2023".

2. Definitions In this Directive, unless the context provides otherwise:

2.1. "insurance company" means a company licensed by the National Bank to undertake insurance business or an insurance company owned by the Government;

2.2. "minimum premium rate" means the rate of motor insurance premium net of all discounts and rebates that would be applied on the sum insured;

2.3. "National Bank" means the National Bank of Ethiopia;

2.4. "own damage motor insurance" means a motor insurance policy that covers vehicles against loss or damage; and

2.5. "premium" means the amount of money an insurance company charges to provide the coverage described in an insurance policy.

3. Scope of Application This Directive shall apply to all insurance companies.

4. Specific Requirements 4.1. The own damage motor insurance minimum premium rate applicable to all categories of motor vehicles shall be as per the following table.

No.CategoryMinimum Rate in %
4.1.1Motor Private
4.1.1.1Private vehicles1.01
4.1.1.2Motor cycles1.14
4.1.2Motor Commercial
4.1.2.1Goods Carrying
4.1.2.1.1Own Goods1.09
4.1.2.1.2Pick-ups1.12
4.1.2.1.3Truck & truck trailers and water tanker1.25
4.1.2.1.4Tipper1.39
4.1.2.1.5Tankers
4.1.2.2General Cartage
4.1.2.2.1Pick-ups1.36
4.1.2.2.2Truck & truck trailers and water tanker1.29
4.1.2.2.3Tipper1.43
4.1.2.2.4Tankers1.60
4.1.2.3Passengers
4.1.2.3.1Own service1.30
4.1.2.3.2Public Service (fair paying)
4.1.2.3.2.1Seat up to 162.86
4.1.2.3.2.2Seat between 17-301.80
4.1.2.3.2.3Seat above 301.74
4.1.2.3.2.4Taxi1.77
4.1.2.4Car hire1.58
4.1.2.5Three wheelers and tri cycles1.70
4.1.2.6Agricultural vehicles0.58

4.2. Charging premiums below the minimum premium rates indicated under sub-article 4.1 of this Article shall not be allowed and shall constitute a breach of this Directive.

4.3. The minimum premium rates under sub-article 4.1 of this Article shall be flat rates and apply to the respective categories of vehicles.

4.4. Any alteration or change made to motor insurance premium rates in December 2022 shall be null and void.

4.5. Every insurance company shall submit to the National Bank its own motor insurance premium rate as specified under Article 47 of Insurance Business Proclamation No. 746/2012, as amended by Insurance Business (Amendment) Proclamation No. 1163/2019 within one month from the effective date of this Directive.

5. Penalty An insurance company that charges premiums below the minimum premium rates stipulated under sub-article 4.1 of Article 4 shall be penalized Birr 25,000.- (twenty five thousand Birr) for each breach.

6. Effective Date This Directive shall enter into force as of the 24th day of August 2023.

Mamo Esmelealem Mihretu Governor