GIM3100 - Regulatory framework: classes and groups of general insurance business

‘Contract of insurance’ means any contract falling within Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulated Activities Order (RAO). This lists 18 types of general insurance contract. These are the classes set out in Annex A to 73/239/EEC, the First Insurance Directive. The list is also to be found in IPRU(INS) in Part I of Annex 11.2 to Chapter 11 of Volume 1.

The 18 classes of general insurance contract are as follows:

  1. Accident
  2. Sickness
  3. Land vehicles
  4. Railway rolling stock
  5. Aircraft
  6. Ships
  7. Goods in transit
  8. Fire and natural forces
  9. Damage to property
  10. Motor vehicle liability
  11. Aircraft liability
  12. Liability of ships
  13. General liability
  14. Credit
  15. Suretyship
  16. Miscellaneous financial
  17. Legal expenses
  18. Assistance

The First Non-Life Directive also groups these classes into eight groups, for the purpose of granting authorisations for more than one class of insurance. These are listed in Part II of Annex 11.2 to Chapter 11 of Volume 1 of IPRU(INS). These eight groups are as follows:

Number Description Nature of business
1 Accident and health Classes 1 and 2
2 Motor Classes 1*, 3, 7, 10
3 Marine and transport Classes 1*, 4, 6, 7, 12
4 Aviation Class 1*, 5, 7, 11
5 Fire and other property damage Classes 8 and 9
6 Liability Classes 10, 11, 12, 13
7 Credit and suretyship Classes 14 and 15
8 General All classes

*To the extent that the relevant risks are of the insured person being injured or dying, as the result of being a passenger.

These accounting classes and groups are used for the purposes of the FSA return (GIM3180).