General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan Explained

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The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan is a significant player in the country's insurance industry. It was established in 1945.

The organization's primary goal is to set fair and reasonable insurance rates for general insurance policies. This is crucial for consumers who rely on insurance to protect themselves against unexpected events.

The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan is responsible for collecting data on insurance claims and losses. This data is then used to determine the level of risk associated with different types of policies.

By setting fair rates, the organization helps to ensure that insurance companies are able to pay out claims while also maintaining their financial stability.

About Giroj

Giroj is a Japanese rating agency that plays a crucial role in the insurance industry.

Giroj was established in 1978, making it a well-established and experienced agency.

It provides credit ratings for life and non-life insurance companies in Japan, helping investors make informed decisions.

Message from the Chair

An Elderly Man Consulting an Insurance Agent
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As the General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan (GIROJ), we were established to facilitate the sound development of the general insurance business and protect the interests of policyholders. Our main operations involve calculating and providing reference loss cost rates and standard full rates.

We collect large amounts of insurance data from our member insurance companies to calculate fair premium rates for general insurance closely related to people's everyday lives, such as automobile, fire, and personal accident insurance. This data is crucial for ensuring stable insurance provision.

Our claim surveys for compulsory automobile liability insurance (CALI) are conducted with a focus on fairness, promptness, and kindness. We strive to improve our operations based on users' opinions and feedback.

GIROJ acts as a databank, providing the data and survey results we obtain to our member insurance companies and society at large. This information is essential for the sound development of the general insurance business.

We engage in international activities, deepening exchange with foreign countries and conducting exchanges of information. This helps us stay up-to-date with global best practices and trends in the insurance industry.

List of Chairperson

Sign of Stockholm Town Mutual Insurance Co established 1872 in Stockholm, WI.
Credit: pexels.com, Sign of Stockholm Town Mutual Insurance Co established 1872 in Stockholm, WI.

Giroj has had three chairpersons since 2002. Morishima Akio was the first chairperson, serving from July 2002 to June 2014.

The chairperson position has changed hands twice, with Urakawa Michitarō taking over in June 2014 and serving until 2022.

Hayakawa Shinichirō is the current chairperson, starting in 2022.

History and Structure

The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan has a rich history dating back to 1957, when it was established by the Japanese government.

It was originally created to improve the efficiency of the insurance industry and to promote fair competition among insurance companies.

The organization's primary function is to provide data and statistics to the Japanese government, which helps in formulating insurance policies and regulations.

The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan is responsible for collecting and analyzing data on general insurance premiums, claims, and other relevant information.

This data is used to calculate premium rates and to ensure that insurance companies are operating fairly and efficiently.

Person Holding Insurance Policy Contract
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The organization's structure is divided into several departments, each responsible for a specific function, such as data collection, analysis, and policy-making.

The organization's headquarters is located in Tokyo, Japan, and it has several regional offices throughout the country.

The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan is a self-regulatory organization, meaning it is governed by its own members, who are insurance companies operating in Japan.

Its members are responsible for contributing to the organization's funds and participating in its decision-making processes.

The organization's budget is allocated based on the contributions from its members, which are determined by their premium volume.

The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan is subject to the supervision of the Japanese government, which ensures that the organization is operating in accordance with the country's laws and regulations.

Services

At GIROJ, their business is centered around providing essential services to the insurance industry in Japan.

They issue GTC of insurance contracts to facilitate the processing of insurance policies.

A Company Logo on a Wall
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Calculating and providing reference loss cost rates is another crucial service offered by GIROJ.

Standard full rates are also calculated and provided by GIROJ as part of their operations.

Conducting loss surveys for compulsory automobile liability insurance is a specialized service offered by GIROJ.

This service is a vital component of insurance rate calculation operations in Japan.

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Premium Rate Calculation

GIROJ collects large amounts of insurance data from its member insurance companies and calculates accurate statistics for general insurance.

This data is used to determine reference loss cost rates and standard full rates for types of insurance like automobile, fire, and personal accident insurance.

GIROJ acts as a database for its member insurance companies, providing them with data and survey results.

Major Japanese insurance companies have impressive solvency ratios, such as Sony Assurance Inc.'s 730.8% in 2017 and Sompo Japan's 652.1% in 2022.

As a result of these high solvency ratios, the Financial Services Agency has reduced the compulsory motor liability insurance premium in 2023.

GIROJ also calculates earthquake insurance premium rates.

Dispute Resolution

Amazing aerial view of financial district of modern megapolis with various buildings and skyscrapers in Japan
Credit: pexels.com, Amazing aerial view of financial district of modern megapolis with various buildings and skyscrapers in Japan

The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan plays a crucial role in resolving disputes between insurance companies and their policyholders. They have a dedicated dispute resolution process in place to ensure fair outcomes.

One of the key aspects of their dispute resolution process is the use of arbitration, which is a voluntary process where both parties agree to have a neutral third party make a binding decision. This process is often used to resolve disputes related to claim payments.

The organization also provides training and guidance to insurance companies on how to handle disputes in a fair and transparent manner. This includes providing guidance on how to communicate with policyholders and resolve disputes in a timely and efficient way.

Insurance companies are required to have a clear and fair dispute resolution process in place, which is regularly reviewed and updated by the organization. This ensures that policyholders have a clear understanding of how disputes will be handled.

The organization's dispute resolution process is designed to be efficient and effective, with a focus on resolving disputes quickly and fairly. This helps to maintain the trust and confidence of policyholders in the insurance industry.

Elena Feeney-Jacobs

Junior Writer

Elena Feeney-Jacobs is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in the Australian real estate market. Her insightful articles have shed light on the operations of major real estate companies and investment trusts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has a particular focus on companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and those based in Sydney, offering valuable insights into the local and national economies.

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