The commission-oriented remuneration structure has played havoc with the system. Will the IRDA wake up in time to set right things which threaten to get out of hand, asks Wg Cdr D K Bhardwaj.

Investors need to watch out for those intent on making a fast buck in the market. Like those who use dangerous chemicals to ripen mangoes, greedy elements can poison the entire system, warns
Mr K S Sashikumar.

What is an irresistible asset class for one client, may be boring for another! So it is wise to stick to the good, old-fashioned maxim of don’t-put-all-eggs-in-one-basket. In fact, it rings truer in today’s turbulent world of investments, says Mr K S Sashikumar in the second and final part of his article.

Constantly updating yourself is essential but how well you get your knowledge across to your client is as important

For the customer, choice is more often than not confusion. This makes it a must for insurance intermediaries to play an advisory role, helping him to cut through the clutter of solutions on offer and make the right choice(s). So, stop being a postman delivering products and graduate to being an advisor, says Mr KS [...]

A leading Agent, a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), who wants to remain anonymous, wrote this article. He has been a fan and well-wisher of Premium magazine since its inception. He visited the Premium stall at the MDRT Days conference in Mumbai on January 15 and 16, 2011 where Premium was the Exclusive Media Partner. He sent us this article on his return from the conference.

The Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010 reduces the tax breaks on Life insurance premium and encourages other forms of investment that are not as safe and critical to the common man says Mr K S Sashi Kumar, Development Officer, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Royapettah Branch, Chennai.

Most people lack the will to write a will. If your client does not make a will his successors may not enjoy his wealth and will spend more time in courts and in lawyers’ offices says Mr P Srinivasan, Member-Corporate Club for Agents, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Coimbatore and Founder-President, Life Underwriters Guild of India (LUGI).

Achieving the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualification, and its advanced credentials like Court of the Table (COT) and Top of the Table (TOT) gives an immense sense of satisfaction personally and professionally says Mumbai-based Mr K Ravi Kumar, Agent, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), who has been qualifying for and attending the meets since 2004. Mr Ravi Kumar is also Local Chair Mumbai, Membership Coordination Committee, MDRT.

K S Sashikumar Sashikumar, , Development Officer, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Royapettah Branch, Chennai says: When two powerful regulators fight, it’s the insurance field force that gets caught in the crossfire. The SEBI vs IRDA fight is creating apprehension and uneasiness among the insurance field force.