The euphoria over the National Highways Authority of India&rsquo;s (NHAI) bond issuance not only allowed the public sector entity to raise money for financing its operations, but also benefited banks by helping them expand their low-cost deposit base.

NHAI bond helps banks expand current account deposits

Business Standard

A public interest litigation has prompted the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority to issue a draft guideline mandating insurance cover for HIV patients.

'Provide cover for HIV patients'

With age, our commitments increase. Be it your child, wife or parents, they all demand financial security. And this is the very thought that HDFC Life Insurance plays on as it launches its online term insurance Click 2 Protect. The campaign, consisting of five different commercials, delineates different life situations that require a man to secure his family, in case he meets with death. The campaign, says the company, is aimed to make the potential consumer &ldquo;feel concerned&rdquo;.

Budgeting for the uncertain times

The finance ministry is planning to appoint an independent advisor at the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda), to increase coordination between the government and the regulator and to also keep a tab on the latter&rsquo;s operations.

Insurance regulator to get independent advisor

In what made it the first micro insurance agent of L&amp;T Insurance, Ahmedabad-based VimoSEWA entered into a strategic partnership with the former. The national insurance cooperative promoted by SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association), VimoSEWA will distribute micro insurance products specially designed to cater to the diverse needs of women workers of the informal economy and their families.

L&T Insurance, VimoSEWA join hands

Insurance should be taken after giving sufficient thought to your requirements. Like, for how long it is needed and what kind of policy may suit your needs and so on. And insurance plans may not be required to satisfy every need. In many cases, insurance is taken without understanding the product, benefits, tenure, liquidity and other aspects. It is bought on sheer recommendation or to help a friend / relative or to save tax in the eleventh hour.

Sometimes it makes sense to revive lapsed plans

After bank accounts and card products, comes a specially designed product for women from the insurance sector &mdash; Women Critical Illness Plan by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance. This product aims at covering women-specific critical illnesses like breast cancer, uterine / cervical cancer and ovarian cancer among others, giving them a one-time lump sum payment on detection of any of the illnesses covered for treatment.

Tailor-made but not good enough

Arecent report on insurance awareness showed 60 per cent of insured households were not able to clearly understand the extent of the coverage and the benefits being offered under an insurance plan, resulting in lower insurance penetration.

Poor awareness limits insurance coverage: Study

The current financial year would be a year to forget for the Indian life insurance industry.

Life insurers stare at a year without sparkle

At a time when the life insurance industry is staring at its worst growth rate, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority is playing down the concerns of the sector. R K Nair, member (finance and investments), said at the Businesas Standard Insurance Round Table in Mumbai on Friday that after a number of good years, this was the time for consolidation, and more importantly, orderly growth.

Growth pangs of insurance downplayed

Punjab National Bank, the country&rsquo;s second largest lender, wanted to buy 30 per cent stake in MetLife Insurance for Rs 1, but the deal has run into a regulatory hurdle.

Irda frowns on PNB plan to buy 30% in MetLife for Re 1

Public sector general insurance firm United India Insurance Company is planning to complete implementation of core insurance solutions connecting all its 1,465 offices spread across the country, within next 10 months to one year.

United India to implement core insurance solutions

In a bid to give more options in long-term investments and to hedge interest rate risks for life insurance companies, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) may allow investments in equity derivatives and credit default swaps (CDS).

Irda to give more hedging options to life insurers

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is turning out to be the biggest sporting extravaganza for the national cricket board &mdash; even bigger than the ICC Cricket World Cup &mdash; at least in terms of the insurance cover.

BCCI makes a pitch for Rs 900-cr IPL insurance cover 

During April 2012 to January this year, the fall in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)'s new business premiums, compared to the year-ago period, was more than the fall in such premiums for the life insurance sector

New LIC premiums fall more than sector's during April-January

BS Reporter

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) are, once again, at odds.

Sebi and Irda clash again

Although it is a closed ended plan available only for next 45 days for people between ages 8 and 45 years

LIC new single premium plan in market

Country's 27th general insurer is planning to start a portfolio with equal mix of retail and commercial products

Liberty Videocon sets premium target of Rs 120 crore for 2013

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) has decided to do away with the 4.5 per cent guaranteed annual return clause from pension products. In a draft exposure on the pension plans, the insurance regulator, while allowing more flexibility to insurers, said these products should carry an &ldquo;assured benefit&rdquo; disclosed at the time of issuance.

Irda scraps 4.5% assured return on pension plans

Check for renewal ceasing age, co-pay norm and sub-limits before opting.

Choose your health cover with care

With Irda revoking assurance, pension plans may not offer as much as other long-term products.

Page 100 - Insurance