It will be the second straight year that the largest nonlife insurer in Japan, under the wing of Tokio Marine Holdings Inc., has increased such premiums.
Under the new pricing system, the premium for a policy covering personal and property damage liabilities without limit and personal injuries up to 30 million yen will be raised to 82,620 yen a year from 81,580 yen at present for a driver in his 30s who has neither violated any traffic rules nor had any car accidents for at least 5 years.
Last year, Tokio Marine went ahead with an increase in premiums by an average of 1.5 percent, the first in seven years. Sompo Japan Insurance Inc., Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. and Nipponkoa Insurance Co. also raised their insurance premiums.
But industry observers say higher premiums could prompt consumers to turn to less expensive auto insurance policies offered through the Internet such as those by Sony Assurance Inc., as they are cutting back on spending amid worsening economic conditions.
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