An Evaluation Of Life Insurance Business In India

This book traces the development and analyses the performance of life insurance industry in India, since inception of this sector, using different business indicators over the years. It discusses the evolution and changing features of the Indian insurance industry in 3 phases: phase I from 1818 to 1956, phase II from 1956 to 2000 (known as the nationalisation period) and phase III post 2000 (called the post reform period). The book also measures the relative efficiency and productivity of the life insurance industry in India for the post-reform period, by employing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Despite the fact that the life insurance sector recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% in terms of total premiums and 21% in terms of new business premium collections during the post reform period, the insurers continue to grapple with the issue of profitability. Against this background, the book presents results on the factors determining profitability of the life insurance companies using measures of efficiency and competition. By helping regulatory authorities determine the future course of action in the context of entry of foreign insurers and also in establishing a level playing field, the book has important policy implications.

Novi Dewan establishes a status quo of the Indian health and life insurance industry and discusses the best practices for various elements of the marketing mix. She complements secondary research with recent empirical data accentuating the emerging opportunities and challenges in the Indian Insurance Industry by using standardized interviews with opinion leaders and CEOs of several insurers.

Contents Include : Introduction; Life Insurance : Review Of Studies Made; Methodology For Analysis; Performance Evaluation Of Life Insurance Corporation Of India; Productivity Of Life Insurance Corporation Of India; Investment Portfolio Of Life Insurance Corporation Of India; Impact Of Privatisation On The Performance Of Life Insurance Corporation Of India; Conclusions.

After a long period of a monopolistic environment, the insurance sector in India was opened to private participation with the enactment of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. Since then, the number of participants operating in life insurance, general insurance, and reinsurance, in both the public and private sectors, has increased. The opening up has augured well for the sector which has witnessed introduction of new products in recent years. In the field of life insurance, a wider choice is presently available to the customers, with products being tailor-made to the needs of the insured. Reforms have created competition in the insurance sector and given the customers a wide choice, not only in the matter of insurance companies, but also in terms of insurance products. However, the impact of increased competition is yet to be felt on insurance penetration. With banks having already been allowed to undertake insurance business, the bancassurance market has also come up in a big way. This book deals with life insurance business in India, focusing on recent reforms in this sector.

This paper explores insurance as a source of financial system vulnerability. It provides a brief overview of the insurance industry and reviews the risks it faces, as well as several recent failures of insurance companies that had systemic implications. Assimilation of banking-type activities by life insurers appears to be the key systemic vulnerability. Building on this experience and the experience gained under the FSAP, the paper proposes key indicators that should be compiled and used for surveillance of financial soundness of insurance companies and the insurance sector as a whole.