A Study on Special Terms and Conditions of SME Plus Export Credit Insurance

Purpose : SME Plus Export Credit Insurance is an export credit insurance program newly launched in 2008. Its simplified contract and operation process enables a lot of SMEs to get access to the program. This study examines the structural problems of the insurance policy contract whose indemnifiable losses are comprised of buyer risks and country risks. Research design, data, methodology : This study analyzes both General Terms and Conditions and Special Terms and Conditions of SME Plus Export Credit Insurance. Results : While buyer risks are basic risks to be covered on default, exporters need to additionally buy Special Terms and Conditions to cover country risks. However, in economic crises, country risks evolve into buyer risks. Therefore, the scope of indemnifiable losses are not clear when the exporter holds country risks uncovered. This study proposes to comprehensively integrate both General Terms and Conditions and Special Terms and Conditions to cover both the buyer and country risks altogether, which is a consumer-oriented improvement solution. Conclusions : These analyses are expected to help improvement of terms and conditions of export credit insurance.