Page 4 - Insurance Sector
Axis Max Life chases 'breakout No. 3' in life insurance: MD & CEO
MD & CEO Sumit Madan says product mix tweaks and cost control will offset ITC loss as firm targets "breakout number 3" position in industry
 "Axis Max Life chases 'breakout No. 3' in life insurance: MD & CEO")
CCI approves proposed merger between InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy
The Competition Commission of India has approved the merger of InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy, marking a major consolidation in India's digital insurance marketplace
 "CCI approves proposed merger between InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy")
LIC Q2 profit surges 32% to ₹10,053 cr, net premium income up 5.5%
LIC's profit rose 32% YoY on stronger core operations and investment income, while CEO R Doraiswamy said GST rationalisation will drive business growth and expense optimisation
 "LIC Q2 profit surges 32% to ₹10,053 cr, net premium income up 5.5%")
Health insurance sum insured: Review every 2-3 years to beat inflation
To strike a balance between the need for protection and affordability, combine base policy with super top-up
 "Health insurance sum insured: Review every 2-3 years to beat inflation")
Govt seeks applications for Irdai WTMs for actuary, distribution posts
The Ministry of Finance has opened applications for two senior Irdai positions - Whole Time Members (Actuary and Distribution) - as the current incumbents' terms conclude in January and February 2026
 "Govt seeks applications for Irdai WTMs for actuary, distribution posts")
GST waiver alone not enough to deepen penetration, say insurers
Insurers say the GST exemption will make policies cheaper and spur demand, but awareness, innovation, and efficiency are key to improving India's insurance penetration
 "GST waiver alone not enough to deepen penetration, say insurers")
Insurance sector is currently at unstable equilibrium: Irdai chief
Regulators set the agenda as insurance, pensions, digital currency, cyber risk, and crypto policy took centre stage on the penultimate day of the leading summit
 "Insurance sector is currently at unstable equilibrium: Irdai chief")
Bima Sugam can widen insurance access, say industry leaders at BFSI Summit
At the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025, industry leaders said that Bima Sugam can make insurance more accessible, affordable and transparent, helping reach more people across India
 "Bima Sugam can widen insurance access, say industry leaders at BFSI Summit")
Awareness, risk management key to insurance growth: Leaders at BFSI Summit
At the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit 2025, insurance leaders said GST waiver alone will not boost coverage; better awareness, innovation and risk management are key to sector growth
 "Awareness, risk management key to insurance growth: Leaders at BFSI Summit")
PB Fintech share zooms 5% on robust Q2 insurance growth; buy, sell or hold?
PB Fintech shares rose after the company reported a strong September quarter (Q2FY26) performance, driven by robust growth in its insurance segment.
 "PB Fintech share zooms 5% on robust Q2 insurance growth; buy, sell or hold?")
BS BFSI Summit: Top experts from the finance world to share their insights
The summit's broad focus is charting the future of the financial services industry at a critical economic juncture
 "BS BFSI Summit: Top experts from the finance world to share their insights")
Private life insurers see early demand surge after nil GST rollout
Private life insurers report strong post-GST growth as customers respond positively to the nil GST regime; term insurance demand surges 2.5x, say ICICI Prudential, HDFC Life
 "Private life insurers see early demand surge after nil GST rollout")
HDFC Life Q2 in line; Analysts see margin pressure but maintain 'Buy' calls
On the bourses, HDFC Life share price tumbled up to 4.61 per cent to hit an intraday low of ₹726.15 per share.
 "HDFC Life Q2 in line; Analysts see margin pressure but maintain 'Buy' calls")
ICICI Lombard Q2: Mixed growth, motor weak; health & fire support Buy call
ICICI Lombard's combined ratio rose to 105.1 per cent, up 68 basis points Y-o-Y, though excluding catastrophe (CAT) losses, it stood at 103.8 per cent, according to Nuvama.
 "ICICI Lombard Q2: Mixed growth, motor weak; health & fire support Buy call")
ICICI Lombard General Insurance's Q2 net profit up 18% at ₹819 crore
The combined ratio of ICICI Lombard stood at 105.1 per cent in Q2FY26 as against 104.5 per cent in Q2FY25
 "ICICI Lombard General Insurance's Q2 net profit up 18% at ₹819 crore")
AIIEA opposes govt's move to open top PSU posts to private sector
AIIEA says allowing private executives to head PSU insurers undermines nationalisation and could demoralise staff, while experts see scope for merit-based reforms
 "AIIEA opposes govt's move to open top PSU posts to private sector")
Cashless facility suspension at hospitals: Keep cash, credit access ready
Submit claims promptly with invoices and receipts to reduce risk of delays, rejection
 "Cashless facility suspension at hospitals: Keep cash, credit access ready")
NeSL in talks with insurers to launch surety bonds in digital format
Although the volumes for surety bonds continues to be low, issuance in a non-paper manner will ease a lot of administrative work for the insurers and could also help in increasing volumes
 "NeSL in talks with insurers to launch surety bonds in digital format")
Life insurers firms plan to approach regulator for relief after ITC removal
This comes after the industry passed the entire benefit of lower GST rates to policyholders to increase affordability
 "Life insurers firms plan to approach regulator for relief after ITC removal")
No major rise in insurance sales despite zero GST, say distributors
The industry, however, believes that it is too early to see a proper trend
 "No major rise in insurance sales despite zero GST, say distributors")