Page 6 - Insurance News

Top four life insurance companies covered 14 mn fewer lives in FY25

Data from insurers' annual reports show ICICI Prudential Life Insurance covered 91.74 million lives in FY25, down from 96.61 million in FY24

Insurance body asks AHPI to withdraw advisory on Bajaj Allianz, Care Health

The General Insurance Council has asked AHPI to revoke its advisory stopping cashless treatment for Bajaj Allianz and Care Health policyholders, citing risks to patients and families

The $4.8 bn surge in India's insurance broking amid sector transformation

Despite being one of the fastest growing insurance markets in the world, India only has 735 licensed brokers, significantly lower than developed markets. Of these, the top 36 drive close to 85%

GST rate rationalisation likely to drive growth in life and health policies

GST reduction is expected to enhance affordability and boost life and health insurance sales, especially among price-sensitive segments, though concerns over ITC impact persist

15K hospitals to suspend cashless services for Bajaj Allianz policyholders

Hospital body issues notice to Care Health Insurance; says low rates, heavy deductions behind move

GST on life, health insurance may be scrapped as Centre pushes exemption

The Centre has proposed exempting life and health insurance premiums from the current 18% GST; the GoM will submit its report to the GST Council, which will take the final decision

Participating life insurance plans: Suitable for steady, long-term goals

Be mindful of limited returns, low liquidity, and higher premiums than non-par plans

Mumbai's richest Ganesh Mandal secures record ₹474 crore insurance cover

The mandal has also taken a public liability cover of ₹30 crore along with a ₹2 crore standard fire and special perils policy for furniture, fixtures, and other items

Insurers hopeful of reduction in GST on health and life premiums

Insurers hope for a reduction in GST on health and life insurance premiums, following PM Modi's announcement of GST relaxations, aiming to boost insurance penetration and make coverage more affordable

Life insurers bet on participating products to diversify portfolio mix

Many players in the industry have rebalanced their portfolios, shifting towards par products after a period of being ULIP-heavy and relying on non-par products to drive topline and margins

Irdai asks insurers to complete QIS 2 under RBC framework by October 15

Irdai has directed insurers to conduct the Second Quantitative Impact Study using March 31, 2025 data and submit results under the Risk Based Capital framework by October 15

JM Financial unit to sell 2.1% stake in JMFHLL to Bajaj Allianz Life

Under an investment agreement signed on August 9, 2025, JMFCSL will offload 13,646,000 equity shares in JMFHLL at ₹48 per share

Major private insurers seek time until 2027 for public listing plans

Irdai has proposed implementing Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) 117 - the Indian equivalent of IFRS 17 - from April 1, 2026

LIC's entry into bond FRA market likely to boost long-term G-Secs

With deals across 10 major banks, the insurer's move is expected to spur demand for long-term government securities while narrowing forward spreads for other players

Axis Max Life Insurance likely to grow 3-5% more than industry in FY26

Axis Max Life Insurance targets 3-5% growth above industry levels in FY26, backed by strong Q1 performance. The company aims to become the third-largest private life insurer in India

Non-life insurers clocked 2.7% growth in premiums in July, shows data

General insurers report flat premiums in July while standalone health insurers see modest growth; overall momentum slows amid accounting changes, weak motor segment

LIC to explore composite insurance model once allowed, says MD & CEO

LIC may become a composite insurer offering general and health cover once Parliament clears the new policy, but has not finalised a health insurance acquisition plan

Irdai imposes ₹5 crore penalty on Policybazaar for violating norms

Upon examining a selection of 67 insurance policies, IRDAI found that premiums were remitted with delays exceeding 30 days

Policybazaar fined ₹5 crore by Irdai for violations of insurance norms

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India has also issued direction, advisory and caution to the company

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Persistency is the proportion of life insurance business renewed from the business underwritten. The ratio is measured in terms of number of policies and premiums underwritten