Everyone Necessary to Insurance : Govind Joshi Chief Agency Manager, IME Life

Govind Joshi is a well-known name in Nepali insurance sector. Joshi, who was born in Bajhang, a remote Himalayan district in the far west, is currently working as a Chief Agency Manager in IME Life Insurance. Joshi, who came to Kathmandu as part of his studies, has been insuring citizens and transferring risks for the past decade. They have been encouraging Nepali youths to become competent using any platform. Joshi, who entered the insurance profession with the firm determination to make the life insurance profession an integral part of his life, is working with the commitment to draw a line for the bright future of the Nepali life insurance sector in the future as well.

Joshi, who managed to make significant progress in the life insurance sector at the young age of 26 years, has succeeded in setting an example that life can be successful and prosperous by joining the insurance sector.

Presented here is a part of Rajan Kathayat’s conversation with Govind Joshi, Chief Agency Manager of IME Life Insurance Company for Bimapost:

Where do you start when describing your journey in life insurance?

– After I came to Kathmandu from Bajhang district in the far west, I had the idea that I should study and work. In this regard, I joined a cooperative. People are not thinking about it, it is changing. At the same time, I came across insurance.

What did you do before joining life insurance?

I used to study first. Nowadays, common citizens think of going to Europe and America, but I went. Coming to Kathmandu from a difficult place, I believed that study and work should be combined, and accordingly, I joined a cooperative for 4 years.

How did you come to IME Life Insurance?

– There are many life insurance companies in Nepal. But 100% investment in IME Life is only by Nepalese. Brand is very important to work in any sector.

In terms of brand, our IME Life is a reputable company. Compared to other companies, our company has given special priority to claim payment. Every month we keep the claim payment on the website itself. Claim payment of the company is very transparent. I joined because IME Life excels in paying claims after insuring common citizens. 

What is the attitude of general insured towards insurance?

Insurance is force selling. You have to force it a little. How people should understand insurance. They still don’t understand. There was a negative attitude towards insurance in the market as much as yesterday. Not so positive today. People understand the importance of insurance. Even though people understand insurance, they still come to the insurance company and the insurance environment has not been created. The company and we also have shortcomings in this. But there will come a time when citizens will insure themselves. At one time, people were shy even to say that they are insurance agents. However, nowadays agents are encouraging common citizens to get insurance with courage. 

Do you need art to sell insurance policies?

– Art is not. Knowledge of insurance is required. People sell skills and knowledge. You can get insurance only after you have the knowledge that you can explain to the general public about insurance. We need to know about the insurance policy that the company is selling. If there is no water in an empty tank, we cannot take water from it, just like selling an insurance policy requires more knowledge than art.

Why is life insurance important?

Because even today, the understanding of common citizens is that agents get insurance for their own benefit. This is 100% wrong. It should not be compared with profit and loss from a financial point of view. Insurance is very necessary for people. People do not think that it is necessary especially in times of happiness and joy. But we get sad and the financial situation is weak and many people feel that insurance is necessary. Insurance is compulsory to save the property. When people buy a vehicle, the third party insurance mandated by the government is unnecessary. I think the government has done it wrong. But when the incident happens, people come saying that they cannot be insured. Insurance doesn’t happen after hard work. Insurance is bought up front but it plays an important role in creating a comfortable environment when you are in trouble. People doing business and dealing with loans must have insurance. 

Why do people need insurance with you? What facilities do the insured get?

Why should insurance be with me? I am a commercial agent.। I don’t have any other profession except this while being a professional agent. I am not affiliated anywhere. Since I am not affiliated to any sector, I am with the insured who insure me even when the claims are paid later. Another thing is that I have good knowledge of insurance claims and other related legal matters. I am also studying. One is the liability of the insured and the other of the insurer. After getting an insurance license, you can take insurance policy from teachers, shopkeepers and anyone. But, they take insurance as a part-time job. If they are not good at insurance, they leave. And the insured people who have insurance with them are That’s why I am a commercial agent, so when you get insurance with me, I facilitate the payment of your insurance claim and the amount to be refunded in full.

How long will the insured have to face the problem of payment of insurance claims?

This is a legal process. If any incident happens and the claim needs to be paid, the claim payment can be easily obtained by applying the required process in the format prepared by the insurance authority.

Finally, how do you inspire ordinary young women to become insurance agents?

We will not be given employment by any leader or government. You have to fight for yourself. You should increase your capacity in some area. Any platform should be used to increase that capacity. Insurance agent can be a right and easy way for the young women who are studying.