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Covid-19 crisis: Life insurers look to hedge against policy surrenders

As a remedy, life insurers are looking to provide short-term credit - known as bridge loans - to policyholders.

FDIs, foreign investment, insurance
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While life insurers are bracing for the worst, they are also hopeful that policyholders will not surrender long-term assets for short-term monetary liabilities and, given the uncertainty, would want to continue with their protection cover.

Subrata Panda Mumbai
The halt in economic activity, resulting in job losses and salary cuts across sectors, is keeping life insurers on tenterhooks. Given a fall in income levels, life insurers are keeping a close watch on surrenders and persistency numbers, as individuals may not be in a situation to pay premiums or continue their policies because of financial uncertainties.

As a remedy, life insurers are looking to provide short-term credit — known as bridge loans — to policyholders. Such loans come at a cheaper rate than personal loans, and can be repaid whenever the policyholder wants. Typically, these loans are available against