The insurance sector in Morocco is set to undergo a major transformation with the introduction of a decree allowing intermediaries to diversify their activities. This text, currently in final validation, aims to strengthen financial inclusion and offers complementary services such as administrative management, claims management and payment solutions, thus offering new economic perspectives for players in the sector.
The Moroccan insurance sector is on the verge of a major transformation. A draft decree authorizing intermediaries to offer additional services is in the final validation phase. This initiative, supported by the Insurance and Social Security Control Authority (ACAPS) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, aims to diversify the sources of income of intermediaries while promoting financial inclusion. The new services offered will include third-party administrative management, claims management and payment services, in response to the rapid evolution of the market.
An amendment to the decree modifying article 14 of Decree No. 2-18-1009 of April 29, 2019, relating to the application of Law No. 17-99 on the Insurance Code, was presented by ACAPS in 2023. After its approval by the Government Council on December 14, 2023, this decree will soon be published in the Official Bulletin. Its main objective is to enable intermediaries to expand their activities beyond their traditional functions by introducing complementary services such as payment solutions, administrative management on behalf of third parties and claims management, in support of companies. insurance.
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Y. G, insurance expert, who wished to remain anonymous, was kind enough to share his analysis with Morocco Diplomatic. According to him, the diversification of intermediaries’ income responds to the current challenges of the sector: “ These are sources linked to the distribution of insurance products, but also parallel activities carried out within establishments. This meets the current needs of many intermediaries who, in addition to their main activity, manage consumer credit files or financial services.” And added: “These activities are carried out with a logical aim: to attract more customers or to compensate for possible financial losses or debts ».
Regarding payment services, he says this measure responds to an urgent need to review commissions: “ This solution is essential given the low commissions awarded by insurance companies, whose rates have not been revised for decades. It is time for this situation to be taken into account. » He also mentions claims management, a task carried out by intermediaries without remuneration for a long time: “ It is high time to recognize this work by awarding a fixed fee per file », he adds.
As for additional services linked to the distribution of insurance in the digital age, the expert emphasizes that, although this development is considerable progress for the sector, it remains limited to a small part of the population. Indeed, digital development represents an important step forward in modernizing the distribution of insurance products, but it is still mainly adapted to large companies. This is due to the limited technical and financial capacities of intermediaries, most of whom are SMEs. Furthermore, legal and security requirements, particularly in terms of personal data protection, impose additional constraints, making these solutions difficult to access for small structures.
Concerning insurance products aimed at low-income segments, the expert emphasizes that it is not enough for the price to be low to guarantee the success of a product. He emphasizes that the actual usefulness of the product and its suitability to market needs are crucial factors. “An attractive price does not necessarily mean success “, he specifies. He takes the example of home insurance products, which are indeed offered at affordable prices, but which encounter difficulties in attracting subscribers. According to him, this is partly due to the limited coverage offered by these products or their non-mandatory nature, which reduces their attractiveness. He adds that to succeed, these products must significantly respond to the specific needs of targeted populations and offer truly useful guarantees, while taking into account the economic constraints of low-income policyholders.
Concerning the optimization of distribution circuits, the expert raises important questions: “ The optimization of the circuit depends largely on the characteristics of the Moroccan insurance and financial market. The legal framework for partnership agreements must also be rethought “, he emphasizes.
In addition, agricultural insurance remains a priority in the ongoing reforms. The expert pleads for a united approach in this area: “It is crucial to strengthen solidarity in the face of climate risks. Agricultural insurance must be generalized and supported jointly by all insurance companies, with incentive measures for intermediaries », he concludes. However, he wonders if these solutions have received the support of the national representations of intermediaries, often marked by tensions with insurance companies.
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