With stock markets remaining volatile, guarantees linked to equity investment are gaining popularity in the life insurance space. If last year was the year of guarantee on traditional plans, this year is about guaranteeing the highest net asset value (NAV) for unit-linked insurance plans (Ulips).

NAV-guaranteed insurance products gain currency

Business Standard

Questions market regulator&rsquo;s showcause to insurers on conceptual, legal, structural grounds.

Irda hits back at Sebi on Ulips

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) is likely to set up a committee to standardise the format of reporting expenditure management by life insurance companies. On the sidelines of a conference of actuaries, R Kannan, member-actuary, Irda, said there was no standard procedure and the companies followed different methods.&ldquo;We have analysed various categories of expenses..and have seen some anomaly in the expenses companies claim to have incurred.

Irda panel likely on reporting expenses

Life insurance companies have replied to the notices issued by the market regulator, the Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi), for selling unit-linked insurance plans (Ulips) under the collective investment scheme without Sebi&rsquo;s approval.

Insurers say Ulips come under Insurance Act

Indians have always been reluctant buyers of life insurance. But they are ever ready to lap up plans linked to their children&rsquo;s education. And that is what now drives growth in the industry. Naturally, insurance companies are all jostling for a bigger slice of this pie.

Max New York Life: Claims beyond education

The insurer is hoping to keep the price of the policy low by restricting the choice of hospitals, and covering only major illnesses.

New India moots cheapest health insurance policy

Road ministry mulls a fee of Rs 15 for such a cover.

Car insurance may come with accident cover

One of the leading insurance companies in the country, Bajaj Allianz today announced launch of its innovative tax campaign in Chandigarh.

Bajaj Allianz launches tax campaign in Chandigarh

Announcing its foray into rural and micro-finance segment, Reliance Life Insurance Company Limited on Wednesday announced the launch of two new insurance products, Reliance Jan Samridhi Plan and Reliance Traditional Super Invest Assure Plan (RTSIP).

Reliance Life Insurance eyes rural market

10 companies to be penalised, Reliance General attracts biggest penalty.

Irda cracks whip on insurers

The government on Thursday set a schedule to examine the problems ailing the insurance sector in the field of accident insurance. This comes close on the heels of the Supreme Court suggesting the government to create a special fund for compensating accident victims by charging a cess on sale of petrol or a one-time premium on sale of new motor vehicles.

Government sets up schedule to provide relief to accident victims

Spurred by growth in the number of policies renewed, commission expenses of the life insurance industry grew by 5.64 per cent in 2008-09 to Rs 15,533 crore as against Rs 14,704 crore in the corresponding period last year.

Commission expenses of life insurers up 5.64%

Insurance companies have managed to reduce the losses incurred on the motor insurance portfolio, that accounts for nearly half the business underwritten by them.

Motor claims ratio improves in 2008-09

The Union government has decided not to make any change in the listing rules for insurance companies till a parliamentary panel on the subject has completed its job.

Insurance firms may have to wait longer to list

Private insurance firm DLF Pramerica today announced introduction of eight unit-linked products, including two new single premium ULIPs.

DLF Pramerica Life lunches 8 unit-linked products

Press Trust of India

The high level coordination committee (HLCC) on financial markets, which consists of financial sector regulators, is likely to opt for a phased reduction in the commission paid to insurance agents.

Insurance fee may be cut in phases

Aided by strong growth in sales of unit-linked insurance plans (Ulips), new business premium income of life insurers went up by 75 per cent during December to Rs 12,201 crore against Rs 6,961 crore during the corresponding period last month.

Life Insurers' new premium up 75% in Dec

To save for your children, use low-cost investment avenues.

Old wine in new bottle

They were once the top favourites of life insurance companies and their customers due to the potential for high returns from the stock market, along with a basic life cover. But the market fluctuations and the regulator&rsquo;s move to put an indirect limit on fees have forced most insurance firms to shed their over-dependence on unit-linked insurance policies, or Ulips, which basically invest the premiums paid by customers into funds which buy stocks or bonds.

Insurers shed dependence on Ulips

India&rsquo;s life insurance sector is expected to grow by almost 15 per cent in the current financial year and touch a total premium income of Rs 2,55,000 crore (about $ 50 billion).

Life insurance sector to grow by 15%

The Pension Fund and Regulatory Development Authority (PFRDA) today unveiled a savings account scheme under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) which would allow investors to enter and exit at will.

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