Regulation of Insurance Brokerage in Ethiopia: The Law and the Practice BY
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Date
2020-06
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AAU
Abstract
One of the major actors in the insurance business transaction are insurance intermediaries.
There are different types of insurance intermediaries among which insurance brokers are the
main ones. The business of insurance and the insurance policies are complex to the public in
general. As a result, the assistance of these middle men in the insurance industry is very crucial
for the efficiency of the insurance sector in general.
Insurance brokers are persons that assist and work in handling of insurance contracts and
insurance transactions mainly on behalf of the public at large. That is to say insurance brokers
mainly act on behalf and as agents of prospective insured persons. Though insurance brokers act
on behalf of the insured they may also render important services at times even may act on behalf
and as agents of insurance companies. This especial characteristics of the insurance broking
sector gives insurance brokerage and its regulation to have its own distinct features.
The business of insurance in general requires careful and adequate regulation. In tandem with
this and as insurance brokers are major players in insurance sector one of the major areas of
regulation in this regard is the regulation of insurance brokerage. The regulation of commercial
brokers in general is governed under Book I Title II of the Commercial Code of Ethiopia. In
addition to this the insurance business proclamation of Ethiopia holds few provisions specifically
on the regulation of insurance brokers. In addition to these, there are specific directives which
are issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia and are applicable on insurance brokers.
The main purpose of this work is to assess the adequacy of the laws regarding the regulation of
insurance brokerage in Ethiopia. Especially emphasis to the regulation of payment of insurance
brokers’ remuneration in Ethiopia will be done in the research. To that end, international
literatures and practice as well as the pertinent legislations on insurance brokers in Ethiopia
will be analysed thoroughly. Moreover, in order to see the practice of insurance brokerage in
light of the applicable laws, the prevailing practice in the sector will be assessed. In addition to
analysing of the legislations, this research paper will also use interviewees and analysing of
court decisions rendered in relation to insurance brokerage.
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Keywords
insurance business transaction,insurance policies,Insurance Brokerage,Regulation of Insurance