Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Associate Professor, Private and Economic Law Group, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
2 LLM, Private and Economic Law, Allameh Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction
Today, insurance coverage is crucial in commercial and economic activities; however, like many economic functions, insurance requires significant financial resources. Generally, there are two main ways to provide these resources: proprietary and non-proprietary methods. Non-proprietary funding can come in various forms, such as loans, debt from credit purchases, pre-received amounts, or unpaid taxes. Typically, lenders assess the applicant’s status and take appropriate guarantees at the time of credit allocation. However, insurance companies operate differently because their resources are derived from two primary sources: proprietary contributions (capital and equity) and debts (both current and non-current). Most of these liabilities stem from unfulfilled obligations to insurers, known as technical reserves, which are accumulated through the sale of insurance policies. As a result, policyholders and insurance beneficiaries often worry about the insurer’s ability to meet their obligations for several reasons. First, the exact amount of the insurer’s obligation is often unknown, making it difficult to estimate potential future losses or whether these losses will actually occur. Second, due to various factors (e.g., the uncertainty of future damages), it is challenging to obtain adequate guarantees from the insurer. Third, there is often no direct correlation between the insurance premium and potential losses. Fourth, acceptance of extraordinary insurance obligations usually represents only a small portion of the insurer’s overall resources. It should be noted that managers and insurers exercise control over resources that belong to others, yet they do not provide guarantees for these resources. Meanwhile, creditors have no role in the company’s management. These factors, although essential to the insurance industry, underscore the need for regulations that protect the rights of all stakeholders and prevent abuse or negligence by the owners and managers of insurance companies. Consequently, in most countries, these services can only be offered by special institutions and commercial companies that operate under strict regulatory frameworks. It is particularly important to establish performance guarantees and specific mechanisms to fulfill obligations, especially long-term commitments, because many businesses depend on insurance coverage to support their operations. When insurers fulfill their responsibilities effectively, they provide a guarantee for stable economic and financial activities. At the same time, these regulatory requirements should not undermine the principles of corporate governance within the industry or overly restrict the decision-making powers of insurance company managers. This is especially critical in the context of privatization and reduced government involvement, which have made the regulations of corporate governance even more relevant. Such regulatory requirements, together with the development-oriented approach in this relatively young industry, highlight the importance of establishing special regulations to govern relationships among insurance stakeholders, particularly in the areas of company operations and contracts.
Literature Review
Most research in the field of insurance has focused primarily on insurance contracts, while studies on insurance companies themselves are limited and tend to concentrate on corporate governance rules. However, the structure of insurance companies and the specific regulations that govern them as providers of insurance services are just as important as the contracts they issue.
Materials and Methods
The present study used a descriptive–analytical approach and a library research method to examine and explain the specific regulations governing insurance companies.
Results and Discussion
Well-designed insurance regulations, alongside other economic factors, can help alleviate the concerns of stakeholders—especially merchants involved in commercial transactions, which inherently carry risk. This can, in turn, foster business development and economic growth. In Iran’s legal system, insurance regulation was initially limited and sporadic until the 1970s. A key turning point came with the Establishment Act of Bimeh Markazi Iran/Central Insurance of IR Iran & Insurance Operations in 1971. This law’s significance lies not just in its 73 articles but in its establishment of a quasi-legislative body (i.e., the Supreme Council of Insurance), which has since issued numerous approvals, particularly concerning the establishment of insurance companies. In addition to general commercial laws that apply to insurance companies, recognized as one form of joint-stock company, two main regulatory streams govern insurance companies. On one side are the special legislative approvals passed by the parliament specific to the insurance sector; on the other, over a hundred resolutions by the Supreme Council of Insurance, a substantial portion of which focus on the establishment and structure of insurance companies. These regulations have brought significant changes to the conditions for founding and organizing such companies, though they have, in some cases, led to disputes. A separate study is needed to examining the legal status and scope of the approvals of the Supreme Council of Insurance. The present research focused on the specific regulations governing insurance institutions, addressing the challenges and ambiguities that arise during their establishment and formation.
Conclusion
To establish an insurance company, it is essential to meet the general requirements stipulated in the commercial law, as well as specific conditions. The latter include a certain quorum of founders, the minimum amount of capital, the approval of the provisions in the model statutes, and the verification of the special qualifications of the managers at first. Additionally, specific conditions for the insurance agency must be addressed.
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