Page 5 - Insurance Companies

Insurers to provide details of basic features to customers from Jan 1, 2024

Insurance companies will have to provide basic features of a policy like sum assured, what the policy covers as well as exclusions, and claim procedure, to policyholders in a prescribed format from January 1, for easy understanding of terms and conditions. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has revised the existing customer information sheet so as to convey basic information about the policy purchased in a manner that is easily understood. "The revised customer information sheet (CIS) shall be implemented with effect from January 1, 2024," the regulators said in a circular to all insurance companies. Irdai said that it is important for a policyholder to understand the terms and conditions of the policy that has been purchased. "Since a policy document may be fraught with legalese, it is imperative to have a document that explains in simple words, the basic features with regards to the policy and provides necessary information," the circular said. I

FinMin holds meet with heads of private general insurers on sector growth

Financial Services Secretary Vivek Joshi on Tuesday chaired a meeting with CEOs of private sector general insurance companies and discussed issues related to growth and development of the sector. Several critical issues having implications for the general insurance sector were discussed in detail, including awareness building through continuous interaction with states under State Insurance Plans to increase insurance penetration and coverage, the finance ministry said in a statement. Distribution channel rationalisation in opening up of the agency channel for the general insurance industry to increase insurance penetration and coordinating with state governments and the ministry of road transport and highways to initiate a special drive to ensure compliance of Motor Vehicles' Act were also discussed. Besides, collaboration with the ministry of health for increasing cashless facility and standardisation of treatment costs to boost growth of health insurance was also one of the ...

OECD urges India to pare govt ownership in banks, insurance companies

OECD advised the government to further increase the share of renewable energy by facilitating long-term investment in clean energy development projects

30-year sovereign green bonds may attract insurance companies, not banks

A report by Nomura expressed disappointment at the government's sporadic issuance of green bonds, stating it has led to a relative lack of liquidity in these securities

Govt considers financial creditor status for insurers issuing surety bond

To make surety bond business more attractive, the government is looking at making relevant changes in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) to consider insurers as financial creditor in case of default of infra projects. The surety bond issued by a general insurance company is a three-party contract by which one party (the surety) guarantees the performance or obligations of a second party (the principal) to a third party (the obligee). The surety is a company that provides the financial guarantee to the obligee (usually a government entity) that the principal (business owner) will fulfil their obligations. According to sources, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs is looking into concerns raised by the insurers that they should have recourse to recovery on par with the banks as forwarded by the Department of Financial Services under the finance ministry. The department is examining the issue and after careful examination, relevant changes would be made in IBC to provide financial

Under scanner: Insurance companies likely to soon face GST audits

Any mismatch in information across documents could raise a red flag

Reliance Nippon Life declares Rs 344 crore bonus to policyholders

Reliance Nippon Life Insurance Company on Monday announced an annual bonus of Rs 344 crore to its participating policyholders for FY23. The company reported Rs 108 crore in net income for the year, which is a 65 per cent growth over FY22. This bonus issuance will help over 5.69 lakh participating policyholders, Ashish Vohra, the chief executive said, adding the insurer has been giving out bonuses for the past 22 years. Reliance Nippon Life has assets under management of Rs 30,609 crore and a total sum assured of Rs 85,950 crore as of March 2023.

A subpar record

LIC's valuation is likely to remain compressed

Irdai asks insurance cos to lay down social media guidelines for employees

Regulator Irdai has asked insurance companies to lay down social media guidelines for their employees to ensure that no unverified or confidential information relating to the organisation is disseminated to the public through these platforms. An organisation's reputation is closely linked to the behaviour of its employees, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) said, adding "Social media should be used in a way that adds value to the organisation's business". The Information and Cyber Security Guidelines, which were issued by Irdai to all insurers, have a specific section on 'Acceptable usage of social media' -- which states that the employees should be refrained from disseminating any unverified and confidential information on "any Blogs/Chat forums/Discussion forums/Messenger sites/Social networking sites". "Any information received, accessed or obtained by an employee, either in his/her official mail/personal mail/Media Forums or in any other manner,

Irdai chief urges insurers to increase their capital for faster growth

Says those in JVs with foreign firms must make use of the enhancement in FDI limit from 49% to 74% to get more capital from foreign partners

Market share of PSU general insurers shrinks 800 bps in 5 years: Irdai

The latest data shows that at the end of FY23, the market share of these firms cumulatively declined to 32.37 per cent -- a drop of 803 bps

Why Irdai's flexible rules are significant for insurance industry

By removing the limit for agents, the regulator has provided insurers greater scope to build their businesses

India's $1 trillion sovereign bond market sees rising clout of insurers

Their growing footprint mean that the state will be less reliant on banks over time, while reducing anxiety among traders over how Modi's infrastructure-building spree will be funded

Anup Bagchi to take over as MD & CEO of ICICI Pru Life Insurance in June

Bagchi will replace N S Kannan, the current MD & CEO, who will complete his five-year term, and superannuate from service in June

More insurance players required for diverse needs of citizens: Irdai chief

Will look to move to risk-based solvency regime in the next two years, says Debasish Panda; 19 applications to set up shop are in the pipeline at various stages

Top insurance companies compete to cover Tata Group-owned Air India fleet

Tata-owned airline negotiating premium for FY24

Start-up InsuranceDekho raises $150 mn in funding for expanding business

Company will use money to improve technology, enter new markets and launch products in health and life categories

Reserve Bank widening bond lending may shield bears from short squeezes

Some entities like insurance companies are not permitted to borrow money but have a large stock of securities and the move will enable them to lend bonds

4 govt-owned general insurers restructuring ops based on PPTs: Unions

The Central government-owned 4 general insurance companies are restructuring their operations based on powerpoint presentations (PPT) provided by consultancy firm EY and without getting a full report

Several insurance companies exceed limit on expenses in FY22: Irdai report

The expense of management of regulations (2016) for life insurers prescribes the allowable limits of expenses of management taking into account the type and nature of product,