INSURANCE LAW
OF
THE KINGDOM OF CAMBODIA
(Adopted by the National Assembly of The Kingdom of Cambodia on
20th June,2000 at the 4th Session , 2nd Legislation)
UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
Prepared by RE . Dept
CHAPTER I
General Provisions
Article : 1
This law is enacted with the purpose of regulating insurance protecting the legitimate
rights of the parties to insurance, strengthening supervision and control over the insurance business and contributing to the development of the insurance industry.
Article : 2
This Law shall apply to all insurance activities within the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Article : 3
Insurance as the term used in this law refers to the commercial contract whereby an
insurance applicant , as contracted , pay the insurance premium to the insured, and the insurer bears a liability to indemnify for property damaged or loss caused by occurrence of possible accidents or when the insured sustains death ,bodily injury , disability or sickness or when the insured reaches the maturity being agreed by both parties as specified on the insurance schedule.
Article : 4
Only insurance company, agent and broker are eligible to carry out insurance business.
Article : 5
In carrying out the insurance business, the insurance companies, agencies and brokers
have to follow the principle of fair competition in accordance with the provisions of this law.
Article : 6
Physical persons and legal persons that are mandated to conduct insurance business are
required to respect the law and regulations of Kingdom of Cambodia
Article : 7
The Ministry of Economy and Finance is responsible for control and supervisions over
insurance business in accordance with this law .
CHAPTER II
Insurance Contract
SECTION I
General
Article : 8
Insurance which is beneficial to physical persons or legal person being the insured and
which has the insurance interest over the subject matter insured whether life or non-life can enter into the contract only with the insurance companies licensed to carry out insurance business in the kingdom of Cambodia.
Article : 9
An insurance contract is an agreement whereby the relation of rights and obligations of
the insured and the insurer.
An insured means a person who concludes an insurance contract with an insurer and undertake to pay the insurance premium as contracted.
An insurer means an insurance company which concludes insurance contracts with
insured and bears the liability to indemnify or to pay the insurance benefit.
Article : 10
In making insurance contracts, applicant and insures shall follow the principles of
fairness, mutual benefit, unanimity through negotiation and may not harm the interests of the social public.
Article : 11
In executing the insurance contract, each party shall has the rights to cancel the insurance
contract before due subject to an advance notice through the letter of recommendation or the letter of notification with duly acceptance.
Article : 12
When the physical person or legal persons purposes an insurance request and the
insurance company agrees to accept the proposal , and after an agreement on contract clauses are reached , the insurance contract shall be deemed as concluded The insurance company shall then issue the insurance policy attached with the insurance certificates shall contain and specify important terms and conditions agreeable to both parties herein.
Article : 13
The Insurance certificate shall contain the following particulars:
1- Name and address of the insured
2- Subject- matter insured
3- Conditions to be covered
4- Inception date and location address of risk to be covered
5- Insured value
6- Insurance premium and mode of payment
7- Methods and conditions in case of claims
8- Period of cover
9- terms and conditions about nullification and loss of rights to the insurance policy and
conditions which allow each party to terminate the insurance policy before the due date.
Article : 14
Only the insurance policy or cover note which specifies the responsibilities between the
insurance company and the insured . The insurance application is not valid for the coverage to both parties hereto.
The proposal for the renewal , alteration or reattachment the suspended insurance policy shall be deemed approved if the insurance company has not refused this proposal within 15 days.
Article : 15
The period of insurance contract is defined in the insurance policy Modifications or
additions to the original policy have to be made on an additional clause (endorsement) and signed by both parties hereto.
Article : 16
The insured shall have an insurable interest from the subject-matter insured An insurable interest means an interest or benefit to which the insured shall have the right in the relation to property, life or body of an individual .
Article : 17
After the insurance contract is concluded, the insured shall pay the insurance premium as
agreed
The coverage shall come into force from the date of premium payment as stated in the insurance policy.
Article : 18
Failure in premium payment as due , the validity of coverage can not be suspended more
than 30 days from the date the insurance policy is signed (20) days after the insurance contract is concluded , the insurance contract is concluded , the insurance company shall notify through a letter of recommendation, or a letter duly accepted by the insured or the representative undertaking to pay the premium, asking his /her to pay at agreed place. After being notified , if the insured still fails to pay the premium within the period of (10)days, the insurance company shall have the right to cancel the insurance contract .
Article : 19
Loss or damage arising out of the risks covered as specified on the policy schedule shall
be indemnified by the insurance company . However, the insurance company shall not indemnify the loss or damage caused by willful conducts or fraudulent of the insured.
The insurance company shall also cover the loss or damage caused by persons being under responsibility of the insured, whatever type or how serious in the case may be.
Article : 20
An insurance contract shall be deemed null and void if the insurance company has found
that the insured had concealed the truth , or willful misinterpreted the material facts which leads to the change of subject-matter insured.
The forgetfulness or unintentional and unclear declaration of the insured will not lead to
the cancellation of the insurance.
Article : 21
If it is found that the risk is intentionally created by the insured, whether the claim
already settled or not, in the case that the insurance company has found the fraudulent or risk creation which have proofs and evidences, the insurance company shall have the rights to refer to the court to void the liability or claiming back the settled amount.
Article : 22
Terms and condition of coverage and any rights of the insured specified in the insurance policy shall be deemed null and void in the case that the arbitrator has found that the insured had committed the fraudulent admitted by the latter.
Article : 23
In the liability insurance, if the insured causes loss or damage to the third party the
insurance company will directly indemnify the victim.
The liability insurance is type of coverage whereby the indemnify must be made directly
to the third party, the subject-matter insured.
Article : 24
In case of reinsurance, the ceding company still bear responsibility before the insured.
The reinsurance transaction is the system of insurance which the ceding company is insured by an insurance company which reinsured wholly or partly the risk accepted.
Article : 25
Statute of limitation for the claim settlement shall be provided in the insurance policy.
However, the statute of limitation shall not exceed 03 years from the date of claim occurrence.
This Statute of limitation shall be terminated by the agreement of both parties, after the
survey report of the loss adjusters is finalized .
SECTION II
Properties Insurance
Article : 26
The property insurance is a contract of indemnification when a risk occurs. The claim
amount paid by the insurance company to the insured must not be over the value of the subject-matter insured as declared in the insurance contract, except otherwise agreed by both parties.
Article : 27
In the event of total loss of the subject-matter insured caused by a risk which had not
been written in the insurance policy , then the insurance shall be legally terminated and the insurance company shall refund the insured 90% of the insurance premium for the remaining period.
Article : 28
When the insurance company has paid the claim , the insured shall give the subrogation
right to the insurance company to the claim the third party that caused the claim so that to ask for refund of the claim so that to ask for refund of the claim amount already paid.
But the insurance company can not claim against the descendants, ancestors relative by marriage , manager and employee who are living in the residence of the relative by marriage , manager and employee who are living in the residence of the insured , except it is the malicious case caused by any one among these people.
SECTION III
Life and personal accident insurance
Article : 29
For the life and personal accident insurance , the sum insured declared in the insurance
policy is the maximum limit of the compensation amount.
The life of the Personal accident insurance includes the life insurance , health insurance and
personal accident insurance.
Article 30:
After claim payment for life and personal accident insurance , the insurance company can
not claim for subrogation right from the contracting party or beneficiary for the purpose to sue the third party. .
Article : 31
A person can make a request for his /his life insurance or for a third party subject to a
written approval of the latter and with the clear declaration of the sum insured.
The following conditions are not eligible for the insurance in case of the death :
1. A person has functional nervous disease.
2. A person who is hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital
Article : 32
Beside the necessary terms and conditions specified in the insurance contract the life
insurance policy shall indicate as follow :
1. Full name , date of birth of the applicant
2.Full name of the beneficiary, if any
3. Any events or terms providing about refunding of the insurance premium.
4. Conditions of exclusion if specified in the contract.
Article : 33
The Insurance on death shall be voided if the insured commits suicide.
Article : 34
The insurance policy shall be voided for the beneficiary when the beneficiary
intentionally kills or colludes to kill the insured .
Article : 35
This dispute between the insurance company and the insured which cannot be settle
through the compromise or arbitration , both parties can refer the case to the competent court in the Kingdom of Cambodia .
CHAPTER III
Compulsory Insurance
SECTION I
Motor Vehicle Third Party Liability Insurance
Article : 36
The physical or legal person that own and operates commercial Motor vehicle for fare in the Kingdom of Cambodia shall have to buy insurance from an insurance company for liability against loss or damage to third party arising out of the Motor vehicle operation, including all type of trailers.
This insurance valid not only to the Motor vehicle owner but to the driver and the
caretaker as well.
The type of commercial Motor vehicle which are required to be insured shall be defined
in the sub-decree.
Article : 37
The third party who well obey the traffic rules and sustains the bodily injury or property
damage caused by the operation of commercial motor vehicle shall be indemnified by the insurance company for loss or damage timely and accordingly to the degree of damage .
Article : 38
The third party liability insurance shall not be applied to loss or damage arising out of an
event occurred outside the geographical area of the kingdom of Cambodia except otherwise agreed.
Article : 39
This insurance shall be applied to the victim of the traffic accident who sustains bodily
injury, disability or death whether this person being transported in the insured motor vehicle.
SECTION II
Construction Insurance
Article : 40
Physical or legal person which is the constructor shall have to buy liability insurance.
On starting the project, the constructor shall be certified that they have purchased liability
insurance from an insurance Company.
The type of project which is obliged to be insured shall be defined in the sub-decree.
Article : 41
The insurance contract on liabilities in accordance with the article 40 shall include the
term and conditions which indicate the maintenance period after the project completion.
SECTION III
Insurance for Passengers Transport
Article : 42
Physical person or legal person that operates the passenger transport business by
various transport means shall have to purchase liability insurance for passengers being transported on their own means of transport by road, sea, river, air or railroad.
Type of means of transport which are obliged to be insured shall be defined in the sub-decree.
CHAPTER IV
Insurance Companies and State Control
SECTION I
Insurance Companies
Article : 43
Every insurance company must be registered in the commercial register and be under the
supervision and control by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Article 44:
An Insurance company can not delegate power of management , leading and liquidation
role to any person who is condemned with crime of theft , confidence abuse , intentionally issue check without provisions, effecting the state credit, fraudulent act, hiding things obtained from illegal acts .
All condemnations for temptations or the complicity in committing the above mentioned crimes or all sentences to imprisonment of at least one year, despite of whatever crime, shall be the ground of incapacity.
Article : 45
All insurance companies, whether state-owned, private, or joint-venture shall be allowed
to operate in the kingdom of Cambodia only in the form of public liability company (Anonymous company).
Article : 46
Insurance companies can carry out following insurance classes:
a- Life insurance company which is required to have registered capital in riel currency at
least equivalent to 5,000,000,00 (Five Million) SDR based on exchange rate on the date of license granting
b- The general insurance company which is registered to have registered capital in riels
currency at least equivalent 5,000,000,00 (Five Million) SDR based on the exchange rate on the date of license granting.
c- Life insurance and general insurance Company which is required to have registered
capital in riel currency at least equivalent to 10,000,000.00 (Ten Million) SDR based on the exchange rate on the date of license granting
Article : 47
The insurance Company as mentioned below will not be allowed to carry out insurance
business in the kingdom of Cambodia if :
a- Not being authorized by the competent authority.
b- Not being registered for any classes of insurance as provided in the article 46 of this law.
Article : 48
Before starting the insurance business, the licensed insurance Company shall fulfill the
following formalities as required by the Ministry of Economy and Finance:
-Provide document or letter being certified that the deposited of 10 percent of the registered capital has been put at the National Treasury of the Kingdom of Cambodia. This be posit shall be maintained until the Company cease the business operation in the kingdom of Cambodia.
-Provide document or letter being certified that the solvency margin has been maintained at a recognized bank in the Kingdom of Cambodia. This solvency margin shall be defined as per type of each insurance Company, but the minimum limit of solvency shall not be lower than 50 percent of the registered capital.
SECTION II
The State Control
Article : 49
The state control shall be conducted for an advantage of the insured , the applicant and
the beneficiary and for capitalization as well.
As for the state owned and joint-venture company holding at least 51%(fifty one percent) being the state share, shall have to comply with the law of the general statute of the public enterprise.
The private insurance company shall have comply with the license granted by the
Ministry of Economy and Finance.
CHAPTER V
Insurance Agents and Insurance Brokers
Article : 50
An insurance agent is a physical or legal person which receives insurance commissions
from insurance company and manage to handle the insurance business on behalf of the insurance company under the clearly specified mandate.
An insurance broker is a legal person which carries out insurance business for the benefit
to the insured , providing the intermediary services between the insured and the insurance company to conclude an insurance contract and legally collect brokerage commission.
Article : 51
The formalities, terms and conditions for the activities of the insurance agent and broker
shall be defined by the sub-decree.
CHAPTER VI
Legal Penalty
Article : 52
Those who act against the article 36, article 40 or Article 42 of this Law shall be fined
from Riel150,000.00 (One hundred fifty thousand Riel) to Riel 1,500,000 (One million and five hundred thousand Riel) and imposed to buy insurance as well.
Article : 53
Any country act to the article 44 or Article 48 of this Law shall be fined from Riel
10,000,000(Ten million riel) to Riel 50,000,000 (fifty million riel) and the license must be revoked.
Article : 54
Those who act against article 47 of this Law shall be fined from Riel 50,000,000 (Fifty million riels)In case that these persons still continue committing this illegal act, they will be sentenced to imprisonment from 01 year (one year) to 05 years (five years)
CHAPTER VII
Transitional Provision
Article : 55
Any Persons that carries out business as specified in article 40 of this law shall be
required to have insurance from an insurance company, the deadline of which is 30 june, 2001after this law comes into force.
Any Persons that carries out business as specified in Article 36 and Article 42 of this Law
shall be required to have insurance from an insurance company and the deadline of which is 31 December 2001 after this Law com into force.
Legal penalty shall be applied as specified in article 52 of this law if the two deadlines as
mentioned above are expired.
CHAPTER VIII
Final Provision
Article : 56
Any regulation contradicts this Law shall be deemed null and void.
This Law was passed by the National
assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia
on 20 June, 2000 at the 4th
session, 2nd legislation.
Chairman of the National Assembly
(Signed and stamped)
Norodom Ranarith
