No cashless insurance will be available in 15,000 hospitals from September 1 for policyholders of two specific companies, according to an insurance body announcement, raising concerns about the future of health insurance for affected policyholders.
The General Insurance Council (GI Council) has criticized the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI) for deciding to stop cashless treatment to policyholders of two insurance companies, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Care Health Insurance. The GI Council has termed the decision as arbitrary, stating that it will create massive...
Policy Changes Bring Renewed Focus on High-Deductible Health Plans
The Affordable Care Act's (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire, and recent policy changes, including the expansion of hardship exemptions for catastrophic plans and changes to health savings account (HSA) eligibility, may significantly impact ACA Marketplace enrollment and affordability in 2026 and beyond. Bronze and catastrophic...
Subsidies won’t fix America’s health care ‘crisis’ – The Hill
The US healthcare system is often criticized for being overly expensive and inaccessible to many Americans. In an effort to address these issues, some policymakers have proposed increasing subsidies to help individuals and families afford healthcare. However, this approach may not be the most effective solution to the country's healthcare...
Lawmakers Set to Address Education Overhaul and Healthcare Reform
The Vermont state legislature has returned to session, facing significant challenges in addressing the state's affordability crisis. With revenues largely flat and some areas declining, lawmakers must reform systems driving up costs, including rising property taxes and soaring healthcare costs. The state's financial outlook is bleak, with a...
Kamlesh Jobanputra has been appointed as the Chief Technology and Data Officer at Edelweiss Life Insurance.
Kamlesh is a seasoned professional with a proven track record of holding key leadership positions in various organizations. Throughout his career, he has worked with renowned companies such as Kotak Life, IDBI Federal Life Insurance, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited, NSEIT Limited, and Bitsoft. In each of these roles, Kamlesh has...
Axa’s retail direct director is leaving to rejoin Aviva.
David Pearce, a former director at Axa, has announced that he will be leaving the company after four years to rejoin Aviva, where he previously worked for over 15 years. Pearce first joined Aviva in 2005 as a claims handler and worked his way up to become the head of retail for new business trading in 2020. He left Aviva in 2022 to join Axa as...
The Tamil Nadu government has extended the health insurance scheme for its employees for another year.
The Tamil Nadu government has extended the New Health Insurance Scheme, 2021, for its employees by another year, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The scheme, which was set to expire on June 30, 2025, provides health insurance coverage to government employees and their families. The insurance cover is capped at ₹5 lakh for families of all...
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) is reportedly considering acquiring a stake in ManipalCigna Health Insurance.
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is in talks to acquire a significant stake in ManipalCigna Health Insurance, a joint venture between India-based Manipal Education & Medical Group and US-based Cigna Corporation. The proposed deal would value the health insurer at approximately Rs35bn-37.5bn ($408m-437m) and would mark LIC's entry...
On October 8, 2025, insurance agents and associations are likely to raise the issue of Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Finance Ministry.
The insurance industry in India is facing a significant issue related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Input Tax Credit (ITC). Private insurers have reduced distributor payouts by 15-18% to offset the loss of ITC, following the GST exemption on life and health insurance premiums. This move is expected to have a significant impact on...
A smart way to earn ₹20,000 every month for life
The LIC Jeevan Utsav plan, offered by the Life Insurance Corporation of India, is a retirement plan designed to provide lifelong income after a limited premium-paying term. This innovative policy allows individuals to choose a premium payment period of 5 to 16 years, after which they will receive an annual income of 10% of their sum assured for...
FSIB recommends R. Chander for MD’s position in LIC
The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has announced its recommendation for the position of Managing Director at the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). After interacting with five candidates from LIC on September 30, 2025, the Bureau has selected R. Chander for the role. The decision was based on the candidates' performance...
A mountain of transgressions and shattered vows
The article discusses the breach of trust by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the country's largest insurer, with its customers. The concept of "uberrima fides" or utmost good faith is a fundamental principle in insurance, which demands complete honesty from both parties. However, LIC has consistently violated this principle by...
LIC Schemes: LIC has introduced two new plans, offering potentially high returns.
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has introduced two new insurance products, LIC Jan Suraksha and LIC Bima Lakshmi, which will be available for sale starting October 15. Both schemes are non-linked and non-participating, meaning they are not affected by market fluctuations, ensuring a safe investment. These products cater to different...
Earn a monthly pension of up to ₹44,000.
The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India has introduced the Smart Pension Plan 2025, a retirement planning solution that provides a guaranteed monthly income for life in exchange for a one-time lump sum investment. This non-linked, non-participating annuity plan is available for a minimum investment of ₹1 lakh. The plan's payout structure is...
From Commissions to Care, ETHealthworld
The Indian health insurance industry is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing premiums and a rising number of policyholders. However, beneath the surface, there are concerns that the system is becoming inefficient and prioritizing profits over patient care. The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR), which measures the percentage of premiums spent on...
AHPI seeks immediate restoration of cashless services by Star Health
The Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI) has appealed to Star Health and Allied Insurance to reinstate cashless services at their member hospitals. This decision comes after the insurance company suspended these facilities, resulting in growing distress and inconvenience for patients. Several prominent hospital chains and tertiary...
The latest claim settlement ratio of health and general insurance companies was released by IRDA in 2025. According to the data, Navi and Acko have taken the lead, while Star Health and Zuno have fallen below the 90% mark.
The rising medical inflation has made it challenging for individuals to bear medical expenses without a comprehensive health insurance policy. In India, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) releases an annual list of claim settlements by health and general insurance companies. The claim settlement ratio, which refers to the...
Star Health under IRDAI scrutiny over health insurance claim settlement practices
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has discovered significant lapses in the claim settlement practices of Star Health and Allied Insurance, a stand-alone health insurer. The regulator is likely to take action against the company, although official investigations are still ongoing. IRDAI has also scrutinized 8-10...
Non-life insurers record 2% premium growth in September, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance leads the way
The non-life insurance sector in India has reported a modest 1.94% year-on-year growth in gross direct premium to Rs 23,430 crore in September. This growth was driven primarily by an increase in standalone health insurance premiums. The largest general insurer, New India Assurance, saw a 3.5% rise in premiums, while ICICI Lombard General...
AHPI issues notice to Star Health Insurance, warns of suspension of cashless services from September 22, 2025 – Express Healthcare
The Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI) has issued a notice to Star Health Insurance, warning of a potential suspension of cashless services starting from September 22, 2025. This move is likely a result of unresolved issues between the two parties, although the specific reasons behind the notice are not explicitly stated. As a...
Healthcare providers’ body demands immediate restoration of cashless services by Star Health Insurance
The Association of Healthcare Providers (AHPI) has suspended cashless services in several hospitals across India, including prominent chains like Care Hospitals, Manipal Hospital, and Max Hospitals, among others. This move is in response to a dispute with Star Health Insurance, one of the leading health insurance companies in the country. AHPI...
Axa’s retail direct director is leaving to rejoin Aviva.
David Pearce, a former director at Axa, has announced that he will be leaving the company after four years to rejoin Aviva, where he previously worked for over 15 years. Pearce first joined Aviva in 2005 as a claims handler and worked his way up to become the head of retail for new business trading in 2020. He left Aviva in 2022 to join Axa as...
The average value of a handbag and its contents has risen by approximately 33%.
The average value of a handbag and its contents has increased by 34% over the last four years, from £1,217 in 2021 to £1,633 in 2025, according to Aviva's claims data. This rise is likely due to people investing in more expensive handbags and valuables. The data also reveals that theft away from home accounts for almost half (49%) of all handbag...
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its partnership with Aviva UK, which now covers over 6.5 million policies.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its partnership with Aviva, a UK-based insurance, wealth, and retirement provider, to manage an additional 1.1 million policies. This brings the total number of policies managed by TCS's subsidiary, Diligenta UK, to over 6.5 million. The expanded engagement is part of a 15-year contract worth $2.5...
Aviva Life Insurance won Product of the Year 2025 awards in the categories of Retirement Income and ULIP.
Aviva Life Insurance has been awarded the prestigious "Product of the Year 2025" in two categories: Retirement Income and Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). This recognition is a testament to the company's commitment to providing innovative and customer-centric products that cater to the evolving needs of its policyholders. The award is a...
A man’s £20,000 life insurance claim with Aviva has been rejected, despite his wife having only months to live, according to a report in The Times.
A devastating story has been reported by The Times, highlighting the distressing situation of a couple dealing with a terminal illness and a rejected life insurance claim. The wife, who has only months to live, had a £20,000 life insurance policy with Aviva, which was intended to provide financial support and comfort during this difficult time....
Ex-Aviva leader Cathryn Riley and Lloyd’s Dhruv Patel receive CBE honours
Two prominent figures in the insurance industry, Cathryn Riley and Dhruv Patel, have been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in Britain's 2026 New Year Honours list. The awards were announced on January 2, 2026, and recognize their services to business leadership, inclusion, civic leadership, and charity. Cathryn Riley,...
Aviva’s protection sales have declined by 16%, despite the company reporting strong overall results.
Aviva, a leading insurance company, has released its half-year results for 2025, showing a mixed performance across its various business segments. Despite a 16% drop in protection sales, the company reported growth in its other businesses, with insurance, wealth, and retirement (IWR) sales rising 9% to £21.5 billion. Operating profit also...
No cashless insurance will be available in 15,000 hospitals from September 1 for policyholders of two specific companies, according to an insurance body announcement, raising concerns about the future of health insurance for affected policyholders.
The General Insurance Council (GI Council) has criticized the Association of Healthcare Providers (India) (AHPI) for deciding to stop cashless treatment to policyholders of two insurance companies, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Care Health Insurance. The GI Council has termed the decision as arbitrary, stating that it will create massive...
Policybazaar introduces a 100% claim settlement option for planned hospitalisations on select health insurance policies.
Policybazaar, a leading insurance marketplace, has introduced a 100% claim promise on planned hospitalizations for select health insurance policies. This initiative aims to provide a hassle-free and cashless experience for policyholders, ensuring zero deductions on eligible hospital bills. The benefit is available on specific plans from Bajaj...
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Tata AIG, and United India have joined CRED Garage as insurance partners.
CRED, a fintech platform, has expanded its selection of motor insurers on CRED garage to include Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Tata AIG, and United India Insurance. This addition brings the total number of curated insurance providers on the platform to seven, including ACKO, ICICI Lombard, Zurich Kotak, and Digit. CRED members can now evaluate...
Two-wheeler insurance scam: Rs 80 crore duped from 25,000 victims
A massive insurance fraud racket has been uncovered in Ghaziabad, India, with over 25,000 people falling victim to the scam. The fraud, which involves vehicle insurance, has a financial impact of more than Rs 50 crore (approximately Rs 80 crore) in Ghaziabad alone, with 128 people from the city affected. The scam was busted by the Ghaziabad Cyber...
Non-life insurers record 2% premium growth in September, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance leads the way
The non-life insurance sector in India has reported a modest 1.94% year-on-year growth in gross direct premium to Rs 23,430 crore in September. This growth was driven primarily by an increase in standalone health insurance premiums. The largest general insurer, New India Assurance, saw a 3.5% rise in premiums, while ICICI Lombard General...
Non-life insurers record 5% premium growth in June, data reveals
The Indian general insurance industry has witnessed a mixed performance in terms of premium growth, with some insurers reporting significant increases while others saw declines. New India Assurance, the largest general insurer, led the pack with a 10.6% year-over-year (YoY) increase in premiums to Rs 3,328 crore. This growth is notable, given the...
From Crisis Cover To Daily Care: How Health Insurance Became A Real Life Partner
The insurance industry has undergone a significant transformation, shifting from a reactive model to a proactive one. According to Sanjiv Bajaj, joint chairman and managing director of Bajaj Capital, insurance is no longer something that individuals hope to never use. Instead, it has become a tool that people engage with regularly, not just for...
KGMU and Aditya Birla Capital Launch Bone Marrow Transplant Ward to Enhance Cancer Treatment Accessibility in Uttar Pradesh
In a significant development for the healthcare sector in Uttar Pradesh, King George's Medical University (KGMU) has launched a state-of-the-art Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Ward with the support of Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) and NGO partner CanKids. The new facility aims to provide affordable and high-quality transplant services,...
Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance introduces dividend-yielding Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs)
Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance has introduced a new fund called Dividend Yield Fund, which will be available under its existing Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). The fund aims to invest primarily in top Indian companies that consistently pay dividends, providing policyholders with a stable source of income. The fund will allocate 80-100% of...
Preventive care is becoming a priority in Indian health insurance, according to Mayank Bathwal of ABHI.
The healthcare costs in India are rising, and as a result, preventive care is becoming a key focus for insurers. Despite progress in coverage, over 60% of healthcare expenses are still borne directly by households, highlighting gaps in traditional insurance models. Mayank Bathwal, CEO of Aditya Birla Health Insurance, explains that conventional...
Preventive care is gaining prominence in Indian health insurance, according to Mayank Bathwal of ABHI.
The rising healthcare costs in India have led to a shift in focus towards preventive care, particularly in addressing the significant out-of-pocket spending burden on households. Despite progress in coverage, over 60% of healthcare expenses are still borne directly by households, highlighting the gaps in traditional insurance models. Mayank...
Policybazaar introduces a 100% claim settlement option for planned hospitalisations on select health insurance policies.
Policybazaar, a leading insurance marketplace, has introduced a 100% claim promise on planned hospitalizations for select health insurance policies. This initiative aims to provide a hassle-free and cashless experience for policyholders, ensuring zero deductions on eligible hospital bills. The benefit is available on specific plans from Bajaj...
On October 8, 2025, insurance agents and associations are likely to raise the issue of Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Finance Ministry.
The insurance industry in India is facing a significant issue related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Input Tax Credit (ITC). Private insurers have reduced distributor payouts by 15-18% to offset the loss of ITC, following the GST exemption on life and health insurance premiums. This move is expected to have a significant impact on...
National Insurance Awareness Day: Insurers Increasingly Invest in Wellness as Health Plans Undergo Transformation
The health insurance landscape in India is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a traditional safety net for emergencies to a wellness partner that encourages policyholders to adopt healthier lifestyles. Insurers are now incorporating wellness-linked benefits into mainstream health plans, using digital tools such as...
National Insurance Awareness Day: Insurers Increasingly Invest in Wellness as Health Plans Undergo Transformation
The health insurance landscape in India is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a traditional safety net for emergencies to a wellness partner that encourages policyholders to adopt healthier lifestyles. Insurers are now incorporating wellness-linked benefits into mainstream health plans, using digital tools such as...
Non-life insurers record 2% premium growth in September, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance leads the way
The non-life insurance sector in India has reported a modest 1.94% year-on-year growth in gross direct premium to Rs 23,430 crore in September. This growth was driven primarily by an increase in standalone health insurance premiums. The largest general insurer, New India Assurance, saw a 3.5% rise in premiums, while ICICI Lombard General...
Non-life insurers record 5% premium growth in June, data reveals
The Indian general insurance industry has witnessed a mixed performance in terms of premium growth, with some insurers reporting significant increases while others saw declines. New India Assurance, the largest general insurer, led the pack with a 10.6% year-over-year (YoY) increase in premiums to Rs 3,328 crore. This growth is notable, given the...
HDFC Ergo and Tata AIG have joined other insurers in reducing distributor commissions.
The Indian government has introduced a significant change in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on individual health and life insurance premiums, reducing it from 18% to 0% effective September 22, 2025. However, this change also means that insurance companies can no longer claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on services such as brokerage and commission...
Duck Creek Technologies has been awarded the IDC FinTech Real Results Award for its work in insurance transformation.
Duck Creek Technologies, a global provider of intelligent solutions for the property and casualty insurance industry, has been named a co-winner of the 2025 IDC FinTech Real Results Awards in the Insurance Transformation category. The award recognizes Duck Creek's work with HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, a leading private sector general...
A health insurance company has been fined Rs 30,000 for wrongly rejecting a medical claim. The insurer has also been ordered to pay Rs 2 lakh to the claimant, along with interest.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Mohali has ruled in favor of a policyholder, Kuldeep Singh Sandhu, who was wrongfully denied a mediclaim by HDFC ERGO Health Insurance Ltd. Sandhu had purchased a group mediclaim policy through Canara Bank, which covered both him and his wife for a sum insured of Rs 5 lakh. In March 2020,...
HDFC ERGO has partnered with Consumr.ai to enhance its customer intelligence capabilities.
Consumr.ai, a leading customer intelligence platform in India, has been selected by HDFC ERGO to pilot a proof-of-concept (POC) aimed at transforming the insurance customer journey. The POC will utilize Consumr.ai's proprietary AI Twins technology, which creates virtual representations of consumer cohorts based on real behavioral data. This...
On October 8, 2025, insurance agents and associations are likely to raise the issue of Goods and Services Tax (GST) with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Finance Ministry.
The insurance industry in India is facing a significant issue related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Input Tax Credit (ITC). Private insurers have reduced distributor payouts by 15-18% to offset the loss of ITC, following the GST exemption on life and health insurance premiums. This move is expected to have a significant impact on...
Ghaziabad Insurance Scam: Cyber police have busted a ₹50 crore fraud that affected over 25,000 vehicle owners.
Two individuals, Sartaj and Deepak Thakur, were arrested in Ghaziabad for their involvement in a massive insurance scam that deceived over 25,000 people across India, including 128 victims from the city, over the past year. The scam, which has a financial impact of over Rs 50 crore, involved the duo fabricating third-party insurance policies for...
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Tata AIG, and United India have joined CRED Garage as insurance partners.
CRED, a fintech platform, has expanded its selection of motor insurers on CRED garage to include Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Tata AIG, and United India Insurance. This addition brings the total number of curated insurance providers on the platform to seven, including ACKO, ICICI Lombard, Zurich Kotak, and Digit. CRED members can now evaluate...
Two-wheeler insurance scam: Rs 80 crore duped from 25,000 victims
A massive insurance fraud racket has been uncovered in Ghaziabad, India, with over 25,000 people falling victim to the scam. The fraud, which involves vehicle insurance, has a financial impact of more than Rs 50 crore (approximately Rs 80 crore) in Ghaziabad alone, with 128 people from the city affected. The scam was busted by the Ghaziabad Cyber...
Non-life insurers record 2% premium growth in September, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance leads the way
The non-life insurance sector in India has reported a modest 1.94% year-on-year growth in gross direct premium to Rs 23,430 crore in September. This growth was driven primarily by an increase in standalone health insurance premiums. The largest general insurer, New India Assurance, saw a 3.5% rise in premiums, while ICICI Lombard General...
Non-life insurers record 5% premium growth in June, data reveals
The Indian general insurance industry has witnessed a mixed performance in terms of premium growth, with some insurers reporting significant increases while others saw declines. New India Assurance, the largest general insurer, led the pack with a 10.6% year-over-year (YoY) increase in premiums to Rs 3,328 crore. This growth is notable, given the...
Sharp premium drop hits general insurers in August; New India Assurance down 47% MoM
The Indian insurance sector experienced a decline in premium collections in August, with several leading insurers reporting sharp drops on a month-on-month (MoM) basis. In the general insurance segment, New India Assurance saw the steepest decline, with premiums falling 47% MoM to ₹2,197 crore. However, the company attributed this drop to the...