http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Personal_Finance/Insurance/Insurance_news/IRDA_to_make_ULIPS_more_affordable/articleshow/3510476.cms

ULIPs were sold like hot cakes in the Indian markets till the downturn in the equities markets recently. The insurance companies are allowed to pay a maximum commission of 40 per cent of the first year premium, 7.5 per cent in the second year and 5 per cent thereafter. But after the fall in equity market since the beginning of this year, ULIP sales have gone down drastically. Looking at this scenario, the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority (IRDA) has finally decided to reduce the commission rates to make the product more affordable and more attractive.

The step taken is very much in interest of the investors, but IRDA realized the same after the sales declined hugely. If the markets were not that choppy, would the IRDA have thought of the interest of the investors? Highly unlikely.

Does the regulator think about investors only when there is a crisis?

I bought a car insurance policy through my credit card company. Amex gave me a car insurance policy through ICICI Lombard and this insurance amount was charged to my card in 12 monthly interest free installments. I did not receive the insurance policy so a month later I requested the bank to cancel the same. I have cancelled the insurance policy in question and bought another one. However, the problem is that I am being charged (on my credit card) with the installment for the premium. I have sent numerous letters and requests to Amex as well as ICICI Lombard, but there has been no response so far. What do I do? I don’t want to pay these charges and I am getting billed extra interest charges, service tax and many other such charges.

A close friend of mine, Mr. Ramzan R. Motani has expired in the recent bomb blasts in July 2006. He had credit cards from HDFC/HSBC with an approximate due of Rs.22, 000. Reliable sources have informed us that is an insurance of Rs.2 lakh for personal accident. The bank hid this and did not issue a claim form. They said that the above mentioned case is not an accident case and are not issuing a claim form.