History of insurance in the USSR

Immediately after the October Revolution of 1917, the Soviet government took control of certain types of insurance , mainly social and medical , which were carried out before the revolution through health insurance funds . So on November 29, 1917, the People’s Commissariat of Labor approves the “Regulation on the Insurance Council” ^[1] - a collegial body for “managing all matters relating to workers' insurance”, which became a prototype of the insurance regulation body. And on December 16, 1917, a new “Regulation on Insurance Presence” ^[2] was issued, which formalized a decentralized (regional) system of insurance supervision over the work of working hospital (insurance) cash registers. However, attempts to ensure a certain continuity were made only in these social types of insurance, which proved themselves very well before the revolution and in which considerable funds were accumulated due to deductions of proletarian workers. In the first years of Soviet power , an attempt was made to introduce a system of free public services and prohibit all commercial activities ^{[3] [4]} . In these conditions, the institute of commercial insurance ceased to exist. By a decree on November 28, 1918, all insurance companies operating in the country were liquidated, on November 18, 1919, life insurance contracts were canceled (without any payments), and on October 18, 1920, the insurance institute was completely abolished and replaced with free assistance to the population in case of emergency circumstances ^{[3] [4] [5]} . However, due to lack of resources and the severity of the Civil War, this scheme of assistance to those in need remained on paper.

In 1925, state insurance operations were carried out on the basis of Union law, issued in its development of the laws of the Union republics, as well as general insurance rules and tariffs . In addition to the USSR State Insurance, cooperative organizations had the right to engage in insurance, they were allowed to arrange mutual insurance of their own property, subject to control and supervision by the General Directorate of the State Insurance and reinsurance with the latter in a certain proportion of their risks, in place of compulsory state insurance . In addition, passenger luggage insurance was allowed to the People’s Commissariat of Railways with special fees from declared value, and mail and telegraphs to the People’s Commissariat of Railways . ^[four]

As foreign trade developed, the question arose of the need to include export and import insurance in the Gosstrakh's circle of operations. The negotiations of the State Insurance Company with foreign insurance companies began in mid-1922, and only on March 11, 1924, the first reinsurance agreement was concluded with the London Insurance Company.

In 1925, operations were launched in Persia ( Iran ). In 1926, the Gosstrakh branch was established in Tehran and in China.

In the west, in order to serve the interests of Soviet export and import, in 1925 in London the State Insurance was organized with the participation of the People’s Commissariat for Trade and the Central Union of the Black Sea-Baltic General Insurance Company ( BlackBalsi or Bibi) with a capital of 100 thousand pounds. In Germany (in Hamburg ), a company is being created under the name Black Sea-Baltic Transport Insurance Company (“Sofag”) , the charter of which was approved on September 1, 1927 ^[4] .

In 1928, an agreement was signed between Gosstrakh and Gostrudsberkass - the predecessors of Sberbank of Russia, according to which Gostrudsberkassi under the control of the Gosstrakh carried out personal insurance operations.

By the mid-1930s there was a need to reconsider the attitude to state property insurance. Its cancellation was reflected in the pace of recovery of enterprises affected by insured events. On February 3, 1938, the Resolution “On State Insurance of the Property of Enterprises, Institutions and Organizations” was adopted ^[6] . Gosstrakh got an opportunity to carry out voluntary insurance of property belonging to enterprises and organizations; cooperative, trade union and public organizations. Mandatory public housing insurance was also introduced. The changes, however, concerned organizations consisting of local budgets - those that were in higher budgets (republican and union) were not subject to new insurance.

In 1934, personal insurance was transferred to the State Insurance Agency, in 1936 there was an association with the Board of the State Insurance, which was organized for foreign trade insurance in 1931.

On December 5, 1936, the USSR Constitution entrusted state insurance to the sphere of responsibility of the highest organs of state power of the USSR.

The Second World War radically changed the conditions in which insurance operations had to be conducted. The main objective of the industry was the fight against losses from hostilities, which required adaptation of the norms and tariffs that followed in the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the USSR of July 8, 1942 “On Amending and Adding to the Law on Compulsory Salary Insurance” and the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR of July 22. year N 491 "on amending Resolution of the People's Commissars of the RSFSR of 27 April 1940" on compulsory comprehensive insurance " ^[7] . More than 50% were increased maintenance rules of insurance of crops and animals . It does not change ie compulsory insurance was not enough, so in the same in 1942 adopted a resolution "On voluntary insurance of crops, animals and vehicles" ^[8] , to expand insurance coverage on these species. The importance of these measures makes it necessary at the same time how to produce food for the army and civilians, and to make up for losses in agriculture from military operations. Voluntary property insurance rates have also been substantially revised. A transition was made from a unified tariff to a differentiated one, taking into account the degree of risk of the insurance object. Blackbalsi Company very actively insured the supply of arms, equipment and food, carried out by the allies of the USSR (mainly the USA) on lend-lease and counter deliveries of gold (as well as timber) in payment for these supplies ^[9] .

Property insurance

In addition to agriculture, state insurance contributed to the development of industry. Since the beginning of the war, a significant part of the large enterprises producing consumer goods was reorganized in a military fashion and was busy supplying the army. In wartime conditions, the preservation of the existing housing stock was of particular importance. The compulsory insurance of public housing contributed to the timely restoration of buildings after fires and other natural disasters. For 1941-1945. The state insurance paid about 600 million rubles for the restoration of property that died from natural disasters, including 430 million rubles to collective farms. ^[four]

Great importance was attached to insurance in areas liberated from German occupation, it was carried out on very favorable terms. The previously canceled State Insurance liability for compulsory property insurance of collective farms, citizens and the state housing fund was immediately restored, and voluntary insurance contracts remained in force until the end of the period provided for in them.

Life Insurance

In December 1942, collective life insurance was liquidated and the following types of individual insurance were introduced:

• mixed insurance with liability of the State Insurance Company in case of death, disability and survival;
• mixed insurance with additional pension payments;
• simplified mixed insurance;
• death insurance against any cause and disability resulting from an accident;
• accident insurance .

During the war years, individual life insurance was not widespread and plans, as a rule, were not implemented. In some republics and regions, long-term life insurance was terminated ahead of schedule more than new policies were issued. Therefore, the task of insurance bodies was to consolidate the success achieved and prevent the reduction of the portfolio.

In the 1950s On the basis of the decisions of the 20th Congress of the CPSU, the party and the government carried out a number of large-scale measures to reduce centralization in the management of the economy and increase the importance of the Union republics in economic and cultural development. One of the measures to increase the role and expand the rights of the Union republics was the reorganization of the insurance business. By a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of April 17, 1958, "On the transfer of local organs of the USSR State Insurance to the jurisdiction of the ministries of finance of the Union republics" ^[10], direct control was transferred to the Union republics. In connection with the adopted resolution, the Main Directorate of State Insurance of the USSR was liquidated, and instead, a state insurance department was organized as part of the Central Office of the Ministry of Finance of the USSR . In the Union republics created their own management (main department) of state insurance. Such transformations reinforced the need to maintain the unity of insurance in all republics.

Individual Insurance

In the postwar years, there has been a significant increase in individual insurance operations. If at the end of 1945, 1.8 million people were insured for all types of personal insurance, then as of January 1, 1953, 5.9 million people were insured, including for long-term types of life insurance (mixed, simplified mixed, life-long) - about 1.4 million and for short-term accident insurance - 4.5 million people .. ^[4]

System Improvement

Success in restoring and developing the economy created the prerequisites for the wider development of voluntary property insurance for collective farms and the population. Measures have been taken to reduce the backlog in the development of voluntary insurance from economic growth. The measures taken had a positive effect on the development and spread of voluntary insurance: in 1946, 22% of the collective farms of the country were insured on a voluntary basis, in 1951 - 29%, and in 1953 - 30%. In 1946, voluntary animal insurance contracts were concluded at 34% of collective farms, in 1951 - at 40%, and in 1953 - at 42%. ^[four]

On December 28, 1948, the USSR Council of Ministers approved the Regulation on the Main Directorate of State Insurance of the USSR and its organs. This Regulation determined the tasks and operations of the State Insurance Committee of the USSR, as well as the rights and obligations, the procedure for the formation and expenditure of funds, the organizational structure of the State Insurance Committee and the rules for the distribution of savings. The provision significantly increased the role of state insurance in the fight against losses, their prevention and compensation for damage. The leadership and control over the activities of the State Insurance was carried out by the Ministry of Finance of the USSR, it also approved instructions, rules and tariffs, considered plans for state insurance, approved annual reports, etc.

After the monetary reform carried out in December 1947, the economic importance of state insurance increased. With the increasing role of money in the economy, the strengthening of the Soviet ruble, the growth of its purchasing power and lower prices, the role of property and personal insurance in the country's economy has significantly increased.

From January 1, 1948, the balance sheet for the Foreign Insurance Management was allocated from the consolidated balance sheet of the USSR State Insurance. The USSR Foreign Insurance Office (hereinafter referred to as Ingosstrakh) was organized under the Ministry of Finance of the USSR, which was associated with the foreign trade of the Soviet Union and insured export and import cargo, ships, and Soviet property located abroad. Ingosstrakh , while remaining within the USSR a division of the Ministry of Finance, in 1970 gained the opportunity to use the status of a joint stock company with 100% state participation outside the USSR - this was done to facilitate contacts with foreign insurers .

On January 1, 1956, the conclusion of agreements on compulsory insurance of state housing stock, as well as voluntary insurance of property of state institutions, which are on the local budget and are under their jurisdiction, was terminated. The abolition of these types of insurance made it possible for insurance bodies to increase the level of insurance services for collective farms and the population. To compensate for damage caused by natural disasters to state institutions and enterprises, centralized cash reserves formed in the state budget, as well as material and food reserves, were used.

In the period 1962-1970. new types of personal insurance were introduced, including child insurance, which began to be carried out on January 1, 1968. Children's insurance allowed parents and other relatives to create certain savings for their 18th birthday. For this type of insurance in 1974, 6 million contracts were concluded.

On August 28, 1967, in accordance with the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, new conditions for property insurance for collective farms were determined and the centralized management of insurance business was strengthened. The Main Directorate of State Insurance of the USSR was reinstated. Also, amendments were made to the Model Regulation on state insurance bodies.

For the years 1971-1976 To popularize voluntary types of insurance in film, radio, and television, an advertisement was launched, which was combined with lectures, reports, and conversations.

Since 1972, liability for accident insurance was expanded, the execution of mixed insurance contracts was simplified: it began to be concluded without a medical examination for any amount, and mixed insurance was introduced with doubled insurance amount in the event of disability.

During the years 1976-1980. a number of resolutions were adopted that are important for the further development of state insurance:

1977 - Resolution “On measures for the further development of state insurance”;

1978 - Decree “On improving the procedure for reimbursing losses of state farms and other state agricultural enterprises from natural disasters and other adverse conditions”, which extended state insurance to property of state farms and other state agricultural enterprises.

On January 1, 1977, the USSR State Insurance Committee introduced marriage insurance (or wedding insurance). A new type combines the features of mixed life insurance and child insurance.

In 1980, by order of the government, a large volume of various risks associated with the Olympics-80 in Moscow was insured by Ingosstrakh.

In the early 1980s in the USSR, insurance was carried out only for the vehicles themselves , but not liability insurance of their owners . By 1983, the total number of vehicles owned by citizens exceeded 20 million units, whereas in 1973 it was almost half that. In turn, in 1983 the number of contracts was 4 million units compared to 0.8 million units, respectively. At the same time, the number of insured events and facts of payments steadily grew together with the growth of private fleet and traffic. If in the early 1970s. the share of contracts for which payments were made was more than 4%, then ten years later it exceeded 9%.

In the USSR in 1981, there were 23 types of state insurance, including 14 types of property insurance and nine types of personal insurance.

Types of property insurance

Property insurance was divided into five sectors:

• collective farm property insurance;
• state farms and other state agricultural enterprises;
• cooperative and public organizations;
• citizens;
• state property leased, or other type of use.

Более детальная разбивка имущественного страхования по видам включала в себя страхование сельскохозяйственных культур, животных, строений и другого имущества. В обязательном порядке эти виды страхования осуществлялись в колхозах и совхозах, в добровольном — в кооперативных и общественных организациях. Строения и животные в хозяйствах граждан страховались не только в обязательном, но и в добровольном порядке, домашнее имущество и транспортные средства — только в добровольном.

Виды личного страхования

Личное страхование включало две отрасли: страхование жизни и от несчастных случаев. Разбивка по видам в рамках страхования жизни была следующей:

• смешанное страхование жизни;
• страхование детей;
• к бракосочетанию;
• пожизненное на случай смерти и утраты трудоспособности;
• на случай смерти и утраты трудоспособности;
• страхование пенсий.

К страхованию от несчастных случаев относилось:

• индивидуальное страхование от несчастных случаев;
• страхование работников за счет организаций;
• страхование пассажиров (являлось единственным обязательным видом страхования).

К 1981 году доля застрахованных работников разных сфер экономики по страхованию жизни превысила 52 %, тогда как в 1970 году этот показатель был чуть ниже 17 %. Объем выплат в 1981 году составил 5 млрд руб., тогда как десятью годами ранее он был менее 1 млрд руб. Свыше 75 % выплат было связано с окончанием срока действия договора, то есть с дожитием застрахованного до этого момента.

Реорганизация в обязательном страховании

С начала 1983 года в соответствии с Указом «О государственном обязательном страховании имущества, принадлежащего гражданам» ^[11] обязательное страхование было расширено на жилые дома, дачи, садовые домики и хозяйственные постройки. Одновременно было увеличено число рисков по обязательному страхованию — сюда включались риски ущерба строениям в результате паводка , селя , цунами , выхода подпочвенных вод, аварий отопительной системы, водопроводной и канализационной сетей и пр. Страховая сумма устанавливалась в размере 40 % от их стоимости. Также был сокращен перечень отказов в страховом возмещении — в него вошли только случаи умышленной порчи имущества.

С 1983 года обязательному страхованию стал подлежать только крупный рогатый скот в возрасте от шести месяцев, а также лошади и верблюды в возрасте от одного года. Дополнительно крупный рогатый скот, лошади и верблюды могли быть застрахованы по добровольному страхованию. Исключительно в добровольной форме страховались овцы, козы, свиньи, ослы и мулы. По этому страхованию крупнорогатый скот мог страховаться в пределах 40 %, мелкий скот — в пределах 80 % от средней стоимости животного, в зависимости от вида и возраста. Стоимость определялась на основе государственных закупочных цен.

С 1984 г. государственное страхование стало распространяться на имущество совхозов, совхозов-заводов и другие сельскохозяйственные предприятия системы Министерства плодоовощного хозяйства СССР, но сельскохозяйственные предприятия других министерств и ведомств оно не охватывало.

В годы перестройки в СССР началось разрушение монополии Госстраха СССР и Ингосстраха на страхование в СССР . Принятый Верховным Советом СССР Закон СССР от 26 мая 1988 года № 8998-XI «О кооперации в СССР» положил начало демонополизации страхового дела. Этим Законом предусматривалось, что кооперативы могли страховать своё имущество и другие имущественные интересы не только в органах государственного страхования, но и могли создавать кооперативные страховые учреждения, определять условия, порядок и виды страхования ^[12] .

В 1990 году было принято два важных для демонополизации страхования Постановления Совета Министров СССР: № 590 от 19 июня 1990 года «Об утверждении Положения об акционерных обществах и обществах с ограниченной ответственностью и Положения о ценных бумагах» и № 835 от 16 августа 1990 года «О мерах по демонополизации народного хозяйства», которые разрешили функционировать на страховом рынке конкурирующим между собой государственным, акционерным, взаимным и кооперативным обществам ^[12] .

Среди первых коммерческих страховых компаний, появившихся в конце 1980-х — начале 1990-х годов, можно отметить «АСКО», «Прогресс», «Россию», «Русь», «АстроВАЗ» ^[13] .

• Insurance
• Страховой рынок Российской Федерации