Page 5 - Insurance

Restrictions on bancassurance may not be a great step: HDFC Life's Padalkar

Bancassurance is a partnership between banks and insurance companies to sell insurance products through bank branches

Retired bank manager loses 2.2 cr in scam: Here's how to remain protected

Experts advise that if someone claims to be an authority, like police, an insurance regulator, or a ministry official, verify their identity by consulting contacting official helplines

Resolve insurance disputes efficiently with Bima Bharosa & ombudsman

If the grievance system misses resolution deadlines, don't hesitate to follow up frequently. Consistent follow-ups ensure your issue remains a priority and that delays are addressed

Buying Term Insurance? Here are the best plans for you to consider

Term insurance is a must for young professionals who are looking to provide a cushion for their dependants

Budget 2025 expectations: Insurers seek GST cut, Section 80D hike, more

Budget 2025: Key demands include reducing GST on premiums, revising tax exemptions under Section 80D, and introducing a health regulator to counter rising medical inflation

Demand buoyancy pushes services PMI to 4-month high of 59.3 in December

The higher demand supported output growth and prompted firms to recruit additional workers

Risk appetite: How Indians are diversifying their savings portfolios

Expectedly, urban households display a greater inclination to adapt their investment choices to dynamic economic conditions

Axis Max Life Insurance launches sustainable Wealth 50 Index Fund

The new fund targets companies with strong cash flows, using a proprietary Sustainable Yield Index developed by the company

Non-life insurers expecting to register double-digit growth in 2025

Despite flat general insurance penetration in the country, the non-life insurers are expecting to register double-digit growth in 2025 with a conducive regulatory environment and launch of innovative products catering to specific customer needs, stakeholders said on Thursday. The industry is also expected to meet this expectation if it receives a favourable outcome on GST relief and a revisit of motor third-party rates, a top private insurer said. "While health insurance will continue to drive growth in the coming years, there will likely be significant expansion in non-motor and non-health segments, such as pet insurance, liability, professional indemnity, and housing insurance," Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd managing director & CEO Anup Rau said. The industry estimates a 14 per cent annual growth rate and is expected will witness significant developments as the sector "emerges as a true partner in progress, integrating digital fabric, delivering hyper-personalised .

Fire, engineering insurance premiums likely to move up by 60% in 2025

In 2024, the country was rocked by multiple natural catastrophes causing major losses to insurers and reinsurers, particularly in Gujarat and Nagpur thus affecting the 'free pricing' of insurance

Insurance penetration ratio has a long way to go, says WWB's Kalpana Ajayan

Initiatives like Jan Dhan Yojana and Jan Suraksha have significantly boosted women's participation in financial services

Health insurance claims rejection up 19.10% in FY24: Irdai report

A claim is rejected or disallowed when an insurance company refuses to process it due to specific issues with its validity

In a first, micro insurance premium in life segment tops Rs 10k cr in FY24

Private life insurers dominate the segment, accounting for over Rs 10,708.4 crore, while the state-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) contributed nearly Rs 152 crore

Insurance penetration in India dips to 3.7% despite premium growth: Irdai

Total premiums across all insurance categories reached Rs 11.19 trillion in 2023-24 while insurers paid out Rs 7.66 trillion in claim settlements, Irdai said in its annual report

GST Council postpones decision on slashing tax on life, health insurance

The 55th GST Council meeting which is expected to decide on reducing tax rate on health and life insurance, besides considering rate rejigs on 148 items began here on Saturday. The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minster Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising her state counterparts, is also expected to deliberate on bringing Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in Goods and Services Tax fold. One of the major items on the agenda of the Council is to decide the GST rate on health and life insurance. A Group of Ministers (GoM) set up by the Council under Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, in its meeting in November had agreed on exempting insurance premiums paid for term life insurance policies from GST. Also premium paid by senior citizens towards health insurance cover has been proposed to be exempted from the tax. Besides, GST on premiums paid by individuals, other than senior citizens, for health insurance with coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh is proposed to be exempted. However,

Insurance premium financing expected to see healthy growth of 25% annually

In premium financing, a borrower secures a loan from a third-party provider to cover the policy's premiums

Irdai may limit insurance companies' overdependence on parent banks

Irdai also plans to encourage diversification across multiple distribution channels to ensure balanced growth across the industry

Uncertainties around regularity & tax clarity hang heavy over life insurers

Adjustments to the new surrender regulations, uncertainties surrounding the Insurance Amendments Bill, and potential direct tax reforms in the upcoming Budget may pose short-term challenge

Need active participation of pension, mutual funds in corp bond market: SBI

State Bank of India chairman C S Setty on Wednesday called for active participation by mutual funds and pension funds in the corporate bond market. "I am sure that a lot of corporates would like to issue bonds. I believe that if household/corporate savings are finding ways into these three investment categories, it is important that insurance and mutual funds also actively participate in the corporate bond market. I don't see that kind of participation actively coming in," Setty said. He said the pension/ mutual funds are making investments in AAA-rated bonds and this is not going to help deepen the corporate bond market. Setty said the corporate bond market has to come into financing of infrastructure as well as balance sheet funding of corporates. He said the investments are happening not only in equity but also in mutual funds, pension funds and insurance funds. "We have been debating on depth of the corporate bond market for many years. We could not achieve that depth," Setty

Non-life insurers' premiums increase 4.4% in November, shows data

According to data from the General Insurance Council, general insurers collected Rs 21,671.43 crore in premiums in November, reflecting a 4 per cent YoY increase