Insurance Industry

Life insurers' profitability in Q2FY27 to improve on protection growth

Retail protection growth and a favourable product mix are expected to support life insurers' Q2FY27 profitability, while higher claims ratios could weigh on general insurers.

Proposed distribution reforms may weigh on near-term growth: Icra

ICRA expects the impact of proposed commission caps and expense limits to become more visible in FY28, with health and life insurers and smaller players facing greater pressure

Best of Opinion: More rate hikes imminent as RBI revises policy cycle

From the RBI's shift to calibrated tightening and health-insurance copayments to India's tax reform journey, aviation security, today's opinions examine policy trade-offs and institutional change

Irdai plans public insurance registry to bridge data gaps, widen coverage

Proposed registry will provide an interoperable access layer to verified insurance data, helping streamline policy servicing, claims and regulatory oversight

Premature life policy exits surpass maturity payouts, shows govt data

Surrenders and withdrawals accounted for 39% of total benefits paid by life insurers in FY26, overtaking maturity payouts amid rising early exits from long-term policies

Irdai tightens intermediary rules, eases insurers' investment norms

The regulator has mandated greater sales traceability and disclosures for intermediaries while allowing insurers more flexibility in investment across select asset classes

Canara HSBC Life guides for 22-23% VNB margin in FY27: Anuj Mathur

Canara HSBC Life plans to expand its agency network to 5,000 distributors, grow alternate channels and deepen AI adoption to drive growth and profitability

HDFC Ergo focused on profitable growth rather than market share: Ghosh

HDFC ERGO CEO Parthanil Ghosh says the insurer will prioritise profitable growth, retail health and motor insurance, while expanding AI-driven underwriting and claims management

Life insurance policy surrenders outpaced maturity payouts: RBI report

Reflects policyholder dissatisfaction, product mis-selling, among others

Multi-year health insurance: Lock in premiums, but check exit rules first

Multi-year health insurance plans offer premium stability and upfront discounts, but buyers should weigh flexibility, portability and future healthcare needs

Insurers may invest up to 5% of surplus funds in private ltd firms: Irdai

The regulator has proposed permitting insurers to invest a portion of surplus shareholders' funds in eligible private companies while tightening promoter-group exposure norms

Allianz emerges as lead bidder for HSBC's Singapore insurance unit

Allianz and HSBC are finalising a deal for HSBC's Singapore insurance unit, with the business valued at up to $2 billion

Irdai withholds variable pay of some insurers' CEOs over expense targets

Regulator's action follows unmet 'expense of management' targets

Star Health wants 65% of business to come from smaller cities: Anand Roy

Anand Roy talks regarding its ambitious plans to focus on tier II and tier III cities, the rising role of artificial intelligence, and security measures after the data breach incident

Prudential to acquire 75% stake in Bharti Life Insurance for ₹3,500 crore

Bharti Enterprises said Prudential's investment in Bharti Life will support expansion of products and distribution across India

100% FDI in insurance: Will foreign capital lower premiums or raise risks?

Foreign capital enters insurance: What it could mean for premiums, claims, and policyholder protection

Insurance for All by 2047: What India needs to fix to meet the goal

Irdai's 'Insurance for All by 2047' vision aims universal coverage, but falling penetration, rural access gaps and affordability challenges raise questions over achieving the target

SBI General's FY26 profit rises 8.7% to ₹553 crore on premium growth

SBI General Insurance reports modest profit growth in FY26, supported by higher premiums, improved loss ratio, and gains in market share

Life insurers well-placed on valuation, margin expansion triggers

Life insurers recorded robust premium growth in FY26, but FY27 outlook remains mixed amid geopolitical risks, GST impact and evolving product mix dynamics

A first: Life insurers collected ₹4 trn in new business premium in FY26

Industry sees strongest growth since FY23 as new business premium crosses Rs 4 trillion, driven by GST cut, product launches and recovery after regulatory changes