Page 3 - Life Insurance

ULIPs retain dominance in private insurers' product mix despite policy push

This is despite sharper push towards protection products after GST relief

ULIPs dominate private insurers' FY26 product mix despite protection push

Private life insurers continued to depend heavily on ULIPs in FY26, although protection products gained momentum after GST exemption and rising customer demand for life cover

HDFC Life declares record Rs 4,596 crore bonus for policyholders

Life insurer says the bonus will benefit 22.2 lakh participating policyholders, with a major portion to be paid out during FY27

Tax benefits meant for savers must not become subsidies for sellers

Tax breaks meant for savers are increasingly enriching insurers and distributors, while mis-selling leaves ordinary investors exposed to heavy losses

Life insurance onboarding: Disclose ailments, habits; take tests if needed

Appoint a guardian for minor nominees; update nominations after major life events

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

Irdai seeks detailed data on distributor commission of life insurers

Insurance companies have shared the data on distributor commissions with Irdai as the regulator reviews distribution models amid concerns over high costs but are yet to get a response

LIC board okays 1:1 bonus issue; NSE gets nod to reserve coal exchange name

State-owned insurance giant Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Monday approved a 1:1 bonus issue

Axis Bank to infuse ₹389 crore in Axis Max Life to meet funding needs

Axis Bank has received the requisite approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the said infusion

New labour codes drive faster growth in group life insurance premiums

Group life insurance premiums grew faster than individual policies in FY26 as revised labour codes, including higher basic pay norms & expanded gratuity provisions, boosted corporate-linked insurance

JPMorgan bullish on life insurers; initiates Max Financial at Overweight

Within the sector, Max Financial Services is JPMorgan's top pick, followed by SBI Life, HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential Life and LIC

Distributor commission revamp could raise policyholders' returns: Experts

Industry executives say revising life insurance distributor commissions could improve policyholder returns by lowering acquisition and operating costs, even if premiums remain unchanged

Don't see major impact of proposed mis-selling norms: Axis Max Life MD, CEO

Sumit Madan talks about RBI's proposed guidelines on mis-selling and their likely impact on the company and the sector, the firm's business plans going forward, among other issues

RBI's proposed mis-selling norms may hit credit life business of insurers

RBI's draft rules on bundling and consent could dent credit life insurance and bancassurance income, though insurers say overall impact will be limited

Life insurance premiums jump 21.5% in Jan; non-life insurers up 15%

Both life and non-life insurers reported strong January premium growth, supported by a favourable base effect and the GST exemption on individual life and health insurance premiums

Systematix sees life insurance sector to gain post-GST cut; check top picks

The recent GST exemption on individual life insurance policies has emerged as a strong structural tailwind for the sector after a prolonged period of regulatory headwinds

ULIP traction rises in Q3FY26 as equity markets outperform year-ago period

Private life insurers reported stronger demand for ULIPs in Q3FY26 as equity markets gained sharply. Customers also shifted towards higher sum assured plans with protection-linked riders

Promoters of Pramerica Life Insurance look to sell their major stake

Promoters of Pramerica Life Insurance are in talks with multiple insurers to sell their entire stake, amid losses and constraints on fresh capital infusion

Axis Max Life, Max Financial boards give in-principle nod to amalgamation

Axis Max Life Insurance and Max Financial Services boards have given in-principle approval for their amalgamation, subject to regulatory and shareholder clearances