The Superintendency of Insurance in Costa Rica is planning to start the process of opening up the market for compulsory automobile insurance in the first quarter.
In order to liberalize the market for compulsory automobile insurance, there first needs to be a review and approval of a decree which will focus on the regulation of the sale of insurance from the National Insurance Institute (INS) to private companies.
Between January and September revenue from sales of these policies increased by 74% compared to the same period in 2013, with the sale of group insurance policies to companies being the factor driving the growth.
According to data from the Superintendent of Insurance, in January-September, the sector as a whole has accumulated $116 million in premiums for such policies.
US insurer BlueCross BlueShield, has announced the opening of its operations in the country, which will be part of the Puerto Rican Triple-S Group.
From a statement issued by BlueCross BlueShield Costa Rica:
Insurer arrives in the country with plans for complementary health
• Member of the BlueCross BlueShield Association (BCBSA), an organization of more than 37 healthcare companies in the United States and other countries and which serves, through them, over 100 million policyholders.
A report by SUGESE contains information on Basic Indicators, Market Structure and Participants and Products.
December 2012 Bulletin from the Superintendent of Insurance (SUGESE):
Basic Indicators
The total amount of direct premiums was ¢466.2 billion in 2012, with 69% of that amount corresponding to voluntary insurance. The retention of these total direct premiums compared to 2011 remained at 81% and the total retained earned premiums (allocated ) increased from 96% in 2011 to 91% in 2012.
The Central Bank of Costa Rica is putting to public consultation the Regulation for Defence and Consumer Protection Insurance.
The regulation will be under consultation until 27 December.
Nacion.com reports that "According to this regulation, all natural or legal persons who are properly identified can make complaints or appeals with insurance firms provided these requests relate to their interests or legally recognized rights."
Four years after the de-monopolization of the market, the National Institute of Insurance holds 91.5% of insurance premiums and 12 private insurance companies have won the remaining 8.5%.
An analysis of the topic made by Juan Pablo Arias in his article in Nacion.com, shows that the main benefit of the new competitive environment is growth of the sector in terms of policies issued, which increased by 24% from the date of de-monopolization, with growth attributed to the lowered rates.
Oceánica de Seguros, founded on Venezuelan capital, is the tenth insurance company to be incorporated into the Costa Rican market after its de-monopolization in 2008.
The superintendent of insurance, Javier Cascante, said the company, which is the eleventh to join the insurance market after its opening, will have a joint operating license, for personal and general policies.
A report by Fitch notes the momentum in the insurance sector in Central America and its growth potential.
From the report by Fitch Central America is entitled "Performance of Insurance Industry Central America: Well Positioned for Growth ":
The insurance industry in Central America managed to increase premium production by 12% compared to 2010, where Panama, Guatemala and Honduras recorded an above-average growth.
The number of insurance intermediary companies grew by 75% from 8 to 14 in the last twelve months.
The number of insurance brokers in Costa Rica is now 14, a significant increase, up 75% from March 2011 to March 2012. While the number of intermediaries has increased, the number of insurance companies in decreased to nine during the same period, a reduction of 11.4%.
The total exclusivity requirement imposed by the National Institute of Insurance on agencies who sell their insurance, is an anticompetitive mechanism that is making it difficult for the market to open up.
In his blog " Mercado Seguro " in Elfinancierocr.com, attorney and insurance specialist Said Breedy analyzes the criteria issued by the Commission to Promote Competition (COPROCOM) on the exclusivity clause in agency contracts with the National Institute Insurance (INS) in place since 2007.