IRDAI’s proposed commission caps could squeeze dealer-led insurance sales from FY28

Proposed IRDAI caps on insurance commissions may cut distributor earnings by 50–66% across some products, affecting auto dealers, OEM-linked brokers, PoSP networks and digital sellers. Lower payouts are not assured to translate into lower policy premiums.

— Source publishedFri, 25 Sept, 2026, 05:35 IST·First seen Fri, 25 Sept, 2026, 06:02 IST·Source Business Today · Latest

What happened

IRDAI’s proposed insurance commission caps could sharply reduce income for automobile dealers, OEM-linked brokers and other distributors. The framework may

Key facts

  • Motor third-party insurance commission cap: nil for IDEs; 2.5% for agents/associates
  • Motor own-damage/personal accident/legal-liability cap: 5% for IDEs; 10% for agents/associates
  • Individual health first-time commission cap: 15% for IDEs; 20% for agents/associates
  • Health renewal cap: 5% for IDEs; 10% for agents/associates
  • Non-linked life first-year cap: 20% for IDEs; 25% for agents/associates
  • Life renewal cap: 3% for IDEs; 5% for agents/associates
  • Potential commission cuts: 50-66% across products from FY28

Why this matters

Prioritize partnerships or acquisitions that add fee-based servicing, embedded-insurance technology or owned customer channels to offset reduced commission economics.