Latest News on ICICI Lombard
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 Insurance reported a 6.2% increase. Other state-owned insurers, such as United India Insurance and Oriental Insurance, also reported significant growth, with increases of 23.36% and 4.45%, respectively.
Private general insurers, including Bajaj Allianz General and HDFC Ergo, also reported varying degrees of growth, with Bajaj Allianz General seeing a 31.35% increase and HDFC Ergo experiencing a decline of 3.78%. Standalone health insurers, such as Niva Bupa Health Insurance and Star Health and Allied Insurance, reported growth of 1.45% and 3.36%, respectively.
The government’s recent clarification on Goods and Services Tax (GST) has also had an impact on the industry. Premiums for individual life and health insurance policies are now exempt from GST, making them more affordable for individuals and families. However, this exemption does not apply to group insurance policies, which are typically offered by employers to their employees. Reinsurance services, which insurers purchase to protect themselves, are also exempt from GST.
However, insurers will face a significant adjustment regarding Input Tax Credit (ITC). They will no longer be able to claim ITC for essential input services such as agent commissions, brokerage, and administrative services. This change may have a significant impact on the industry, as insurers will need to adjust their business models to account for the loss of ITC. Overall, the non-life insurance sector is experiencing moderate growth, driven primarily by increases in standalone health insurance premiums, and is adapting to changes in the tax landscape.
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 current market conditions.
Other state-owned insurers also reported strong growth, with United India Insurance seeing an 11.4% YoY rise in premiums, National Insurance posting a 26% growth, and Oriental Insurance’s premiums rising by 13.5%. These numbers indicate a positive trend among public sector general insurers.
In contrast, the second-largest general insurer, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, reported a 10.4% decline in premiums to Rs 1,987 crore. This decline is a significant setback for the company, which had been performing well in previous quarters.
Among private general insurers, Bajaj Allianz General reported an impressive 17% YoY growth in premiums to Rs 1,445 crore. This growth is a testament to the company’s strong distribution network and product offerings. On the other hand, HDFC Ergo saw a decline of 17.4% in premiums to Rs 870 crore, which is a concerning trend for the company.
Overall, the general insurance industry has shown a mixed performance, with some insurers reporting strong growth while others struggled to maintain their premium base. The growth of state-owned insurers is a positive sign, while the decline of some private insurers is a cause for concern. The industry’s performance will be closely watched in the coming quarters to see if the growth momentum can be sustained.
The premium growth of general insurers is an important indicator of the industry’s health, and the current trends suggest that the industry is facing challenges. However, with the government’s initiatives to increase insurance penetration and the growing awareness among consumers, the industry is expected to grow in the long term. The companies that are able to adapt to the changing market conditions and offer innovative products will be better positioned to capitalize on the growth opportunities.
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 timing of policy receipts, citing the receipt of a quarterly installment of a government health policy in the previous month. Despite this, New India Assurance reported an 8.67% growth in premiums on a year-on-year (YoY) basis and a 14.66% growth up to the month on a YoY basis.
Other insurers also reported declines in premium collections. ICICI Lombard saw a 12% MoM decline in premiums to ₹2,182 crore, while Go Digit General Insurance registered a 16% MoM drop to ₹738 crore. Health insurers Niva Bupa Health Insurance and Star Health Insurance also reported contractions, with premiums declining 4% and 6% MoM, respectively.
This decline comes after a period of steady expansion in the insurance sector, with many insurers reporting strong inflows in July. In fact, New India Assurance, ICICI Lombard, Go Digit, Niva Bupa, and Star Health all posted double-digit MoM growth in July, highlighting a sharp contrast with the August figures. The decline in premium collections may be a temporary blip, and the sector is expected to continue growing in the long term. The insurance sector’s performance is closely watched, as it is a key indicator of the overall health of the economy. The decline in August may be attributed to various factors, including seasonal fluctuations and changes in policy receipts. However, the sector’s growth on a YoY basis suggests that it is still on a positive trajectory.
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 for individual health and life insurance. As a result, insurance companies are reducing commission payouts to distributors to absorb the loss of ITC benefit.
Several major insurance companies, including HDFC Ergo General Insurance, Tata AIG General Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa Health, Star Health, and Care Health, have already cut commissions to distributors. The commission paid to distributors is now inclusive of 18% GST, effective October 1, 2025. This change is expected to impact the profitability and operating expenses of insurance companies.
The government’s intention behind this move is to make insurance policies more affordable for individuals. However, it has created pressure on insurance companies’ margins, as they have lost the benefit of ITC that they could earlier claim on their expenses. Insurance companies are now absorbing the ITC disallowance impact on non-commission costs to keep premiums affordable for customers.
The reduction in commission payouts to distributors may affect their earnings, but insurance companies are encouraging them to focus on selling more policies to increase their volumes and earnings. The new guidelines have created a challenging environment for insurance companies, and they are awaiting responses from relevant authorities to address their concerns. Meanwhile, insurance companies are revising their commission rates to align with the GST changes, and distributors can expect updated commission grids soon. Overall, the GST exemption on individual health and life insurance premiums has created a complex situation for insurance companies, distributors, and policyholders, with both positive and negative implications.
CRED has expanded its insurance network by partnering with Bajaj Allianz, Tata AIG, and United India on its garage platform.
CRED, a fintech company, has expanded its motor insurance offerings on its CRED Garage platform by partnering with three new insurance providers: Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Tata AIG, and United India Insurance. This brings the total number of insurance providers on the platform to seven, including existing partners ACKO, ICICI Lombard, Zurich Kotak, and Digit. CRED Garage offers a range of services, including premium comparison, policy renewal reminders, digital claims initiation, and dedicated concierge support.
The platform has facilitated insurance coverage for over 10 lakh vehicles without any coverage lapses to date and currently manages 1.1 crore vehicles. One of the unique features of CRED Garage is its dynamic pricing model, which offers better premium rates to members with higher credit scores. This model leverages creditworthiness as an indicator of responsible behavior, with the assumption that individuals with good credit scores are more likely to be responsible drivers.
The partnership with the new insurance providers is expected to help CRED reach a wider audience, particularly tech-savvy individuals. According to Dr. Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, there is a correlation between good credit scores and responsible driving behavior. Saurabh Maini from TATA AIG highlighted the importance of the partnership in reaching affluent and tech-savvy audiences, while Lipika Kalra from United India Insurance described the collaboration as a milestone in the company’s digital transformation journey.
CRED serves over 1.5 crore affluent Indians and restricts access to individuals with high credit scores. In addition to insurance services, CRED Garage offers comprehensive vehicle management services, including challan discovery, pollution certificate renewal, FASTag services, and vehicle valuation. With its expanded partnerships and range of services, CRED Garage is positioned to become a leading platform for vehicle owners in India. The platform’s focus on using credit scores to determine premium rates is also expected to promote responsible financial behavior among its members.
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Insurance premium collections rose in August, driven by Bajaj Allianz and New India Assurance.
The Indian general insurance sector experienced modest year-on-year growth in premium collections for August, according to data from the General Insurance Council. However, several major players reported significant sequential declines in premiums compared to July.
ICICI Lombard General Insurance saw a 2.1% year-on-year increase in gross direct premium underwritten, reaching ₹2,182 crore. Nonetheless, its premiums dropped 12% compared to the previous month. New India Assurance reported an 8.7% annual increase, with premiums totaling ₹2,197 crore, but experienced a substantial 47% month-on-month decline, the steepest among major insurers.
Star Health and Allied Insurance’s premium rose 1.9% year-on-year to ₹1,426 crore. In contrast, Go Digit General Insurance achieved a 13.6% annual jump, with premiums reaching ₹738 crore, but slipped 16% on a sequential basis. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance posted the strongest annual growth, with premium collections up 18.8% year-on-year at ₹2063.2 crore.
The declines in premiums for several major insurers may indicate a slowdown in the Indian general insurance sector. The significant drop in premiums for New India Assurance, in particular, may be a cause for concern. Despite the year-on-year growth, the sequential declines suggest that the sector may be experiencing a temporary downturn.
Overall, the data from the General Insurance Council highlights the mixed performance of Indian general insurers in August. While some insurers reported strong annual growth, others experienced substantial sequential declines. The sector’s performance will be closely watched in the coming months to determine if the declines are a one-time phenomenon or a sign of a larger trend. The Indian general insurance sector will need to adapt to changing market conditions to maintain growth and stability.
Top insurance companies have successfully leveraged technology to revolutionize their approach to customer service, setting a new standard for the industry.
SBI General Insurance has emerged as the top performer in the motor insurance category. The company, which has partnered with 21 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for motor insurance, reported a moderate increase in the segment in the financial year 2024. Notably, it settled 2,70,716 motor own damage claims, with over 7,148 claims for four-wheeler private cars being resolved through its “fast lane method,” which allows for spot settlement of minor damages.
According to Naveen Chandra Jha, Managing Director and CEO of SBI General Insurance, both health insurance and motor insurance are under-penetrated markets that offer opportunities for growth. The company’s strong performance in the motor insurance category can be attributed to its strategic partnerships with OEMs and its efficient claims settlement process.
The New India Assurance and ICICI Lombard General Insurance have been jointly ranked second in the motor insurance category. Girija Subramanian, Managing Director and Chairman of The New India Assurance, attributes the company’s strong performance to its long-standing presence across the country, particularly in Tier I-IV towns. The company’s extensive network of agents and intermediaries, including brokers, motor insurance service providers, web aggregators, and insurance marketing firms, has played a crucial role in generating large volumes of business.
However, Subramanian notes that the automobile industry has experienced muted growth in the financial year 2025, with a decline in sales of private cars and commercial vehicles. This has had a negative impact on the company’s business figures, which have only recently started to pick up during the festival season. Despite this, the company remains optimistic about achieving double-digit growth in the motor insurance business by the end of the year. The New India Assurance works with 2,500 garages for cashless claims, which has helped to streamline its claims settlement process and improve customer satisfaction. Overall, the motor insurance category is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing demand for vehicle insurance and the introduction of new products and services by insurers.
ICICI Lombard appoints Parag Lokhande to lead AI, data science, and startup strategy
ICICI Lombard has appointed Parag Lokhande as the Head of Data Science, AI, and Startup Initiatives. This move signifies the company’s push towards AI-led innovation and collaboration with startups. Lokhande will be responsible for developing advanced machine learning solutions and engaging with emerging ventures to future-proof the insurer’s digital strategy.
With over two decades of experience in analytics, AI, and digital transformation across the BFSI sector, Lokhande is well-equipped to drive the next phase of growth for the organization. Prior to his current role, he was the EVP at Kotak Securities and has also worked with organizations such as Bajaj Finserv and PNB MetLife. Lokhande’s experience combines hands-on technology implementation with strategic innovation leadership, and he holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Mumbai.
The appointment of Lokhande comes at a time when the insurance industry is undergoing significant transformation, with AI and startup-led solutions redefining claims processing, risk modeling, fraud detection, and customer engagement. ICICI Lombard aims to build in-house AI capabilities and collaborate with startups to shape the next era of tech-led insurance.
Lokhande’s role will involve leveraging internal teams and engaging with the startup ecosystem to identify and integrate cutting-edge technologies. He will focus on collaborating with new-age startups to co-create innovative, future-ready solutions aligned with the organization’s long-term strategic objectives. This strategic hire is expected to drive ICICI Lombard’s digital strategy and position the company as a leader in the insurance industry.
The insurance industry’s transformation is driven by the need for efficient and effective solutions, and AI and machine learning are playing a crucial role in this process. With Lokhande’s expertise and ICICI Lombard’s commitment to innovation, the company is poised to make significant strides in the industry. The collaboration with startups will also provide opportunities for ICICI Lombard to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing market trends.
Overall, the appointment of Parag Lokhande as the Head of Data Science, AI, and Startup Initiatives is a significant step for ICICI Lombard, and it is expected to drive the company’s growth and innovation in the insurance industry.
ICICI Lombard has completed a cross-region disaster recovery (DR) upgrade using Amazon Web Services (AWS).
ICICI Lombard, in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), has successfully completed a cross-region disaster recovery (DR) upgrade. The upgrade involved relocating the company’s secondary setup from Mumbai to Hyderabad, enabling continued access to critical applications during disruptions. The new system features automated failover and real-time validation, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.
The upgraded DR solution is fully cloud-native and automated, leveraging AWS services such as Elastic Disaster Recovery and Step Functions. The infrastructure-as-code approach allows for continuous data replication and automatic switchover via domain-based routing, reducing the need for manual intervention. This means that in the event of a disaster or disruption, ICICI Lombard’s systems can quickly and automatically switch to the secondary region, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations.
The successful transition of all business applications to the secondary cloud region demonstrates ICICI Lombard’s readiness to operate without disruption during unforeseen events. According to Girish Nayak, Chief of Technology and Health at ICICI Lombard, the upgrade was not only a test of technology but also a validation of the company’s vision. The collaboration with AWS has enabled ICICI Lombard to secure its mission-critical workloads, ensuring faster application recovery, greater reliability, and data protection through a fully automated data recovery process.
Kiran Jagannath, Head of Financial Services and Conglomerates at AWS India and South Asia, expressed pleasure in collaborating with ICICI Lombard to achieve this milestone. The partnership has resulted in a robust and reliable DR solution that meets the insurer’s business continuity requirements. With this upgrade, ICICI Lombard has reinforced its commitment to providing uninterrupted services to its customers, even in the face of unexpected disruptions. The company’s investment in a cloud-native DR solution is expected to pay dividends in the long run, ensuring business resilience and continuity in an increasingly uncertain world.
ICICI Lombard and Mahindra Finance have entered into a partnership for the distribution of motor insurance products.
ICICI Lombard General Insurance, a leading private general insurer in India, has partnered with Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited, a prominent non-banking finance company, to offer motor insurance products to Mahindra Finance’s customers. This collaboration aims to provide accessible and tailored insurance solutions by combining Mahindra Finance’s extensive rural and semi-urban reach with ICICI Lombard’s expertise in motor insurance.
Through this partnership, Mahindra Finance customers will have access to a wide range of ICICI Lombard’s motor insurance products, ensuring that protection is seamlessly integrated into their financial journey. The tie-up is expected to drive financial inclusion by reaching Mahindra Finance’s wider customer base with timely and relevant insurance solutions.
Sanjeev Mantri, Managing Director & CEO of ICICI Lombard, stated that the partnership is an extension of the company’s approach to making insurance more accessible and integrated into customers’ everyday financial journey. He emphasized that the partnership will enable ICICI Lombard to serve urban customers and reach deeper into semi-urban and rural India through a trusted financial partner.
Raul Rebello, Managing Director & CEO of Mahindra Finance, said that the partnership represents another step in the company’s journey to empower customers with financial security. By combining ICICI Lombard’s insurance expertise with Mahindra Finance’s extensive reach, the partnership aims to strengthen financial security and resilience for millions of customers across the country.
The partnership is set to expand insurance penetration, enhance customer experience, and build financial resilience across India by leveraging the strengths of Mahindra Finance’s community presence and ICICI Lombard’s customer-centric, tech-driven approach. The collaboration is expected to provide individuals and businesses with the protection they need for their health, motor, assets, and livelihoods in a timely and seamless manner, driving financial inclusion and building a more resilient India.
ICICI Lombard’s film turns snoring into a wake-up call for heart health, ETBrandEquity
ICICI Lombard, a leading insurance company, has launched a digital campaign for World Heart Day to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with snoring. The campaign, titled “Reframing Snoring,” aims to educate people about the link between snoring and sleep apnea, a condition that can lead to serious health complications such as hypertension, arrhythmia, and heart failure. According to the company, an estimated 10.4 crore Indians suffer from sleep apnea, often undiagnosed.
The campaign uses a humorous approach to depict a common scenario where a fit-looking man snores loudly, much to the frustration of his roommate. However, the tone turns serious as a voiceover reveals the potential health implications of snoring. The film encourages viewers to take proactive steps to monitor their snoring patterns and seek medical consultation if necessary.
To support this initiative, ICICI Lombard has introduced a feature on its IL TakeCare app that allows users to record their snoring episodes and receive guidance on seeking medical help. The company hopes that by raising awareness about the risks associated with snoring, people will take preventive measures to protect their heart health.
Speaking about the campaign, Sheena Kapoor, Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications, and CSR at ICICI Lombard, said that the company aims to use creativity to drive meaningful change, especially when it comes to preventive health. She emphasized that snoring is often dismissed as harmless, but it can be an early sign of sleep apnea, which is linked to serious cardiovascular risks.
The campaign marks ICICI Lombard’s 25th anniversary and reinforces the company’s commitment to preventive care. By using a relatable and engaging approach, the company hopes to encourage people to make proactive choices about their heart health. As Kapoor noted, “Preventive care doesn’t have to be intimidating. When told right, it can be both approachable and impactful.” The campaign aims to spark curiosity and encourage early conversations about sleep apnea and heart health, ultimately helping people make informed decisions about their well-being.