India
Indian insurers want tax breaks for personal insurance
The insurance industry in India is calling for tax breaks on personal cover such as home, personal accident and travel to help increase access to the products across the country.
Vijayan appointed chairman of Indian regulator
The Indian government has appointed T S Vijayan, former head of the Life Insurance Corporation, as chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.
Autorickshaw unions in India complain about insurance hike
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in India wants to increase third party premiums for autorickshaw drivers annoying autorickshaw unions.
Indian watchdog hits SKS with Rs50 lakh fine
Shares in Indian finance firm SKS Microfinance fell 2.39% after it was fined Rs50 lakh by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority.
Two day strike hits Indian economy
Hundreds of thousands of private sector and government employees are on strike in India protesting over government reforms.
United India Insurance targets rural retail growth
The United India Insurance chairman and managing director wants to increase premiums to 10bn rupees ($1.84bn) by the end of the fiscal year.
India to insure oil refineries that trade with Iran
Despite western sanctions on Iran, the Indian government will step in to make sure its oil refineries have sufficient insurance so they continue refining crude oil imported from Iran.
United India sells crop insurance
Publicly owned United India Insurance is now selling crop insurance products as part of a tie-up with Agriculture Insurance Company.
Europe View From the Top: Risk engineering when growing abroad
Higher costs of living, lower real wages and reduced access to credit has had a direct impact on the profitability of UK companies. This combined with the Eurozone crisis has taken its toll on UK export growth and investment.
Will sub-brokers in India make a difference?
Neera Bhardwaj asks if the expected allowance of sub-broking in India will really shake up the retail insurance landscape.
Where is the service culture?
Praveen Gupta, ceo and country manager of Raheja, QBE in Mumbai, and senior member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, wants emerging markets in Asia to place less emphasis on sales and more on service.
Listings for government owned insurers in India on hold
According to a senior official at the Indian finance ministry, the government has put off plans to list state run insurers as their financial health is not conducive.
Indian regulator asks for fraud review at insurers
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in India has sent a letter to the chief executives of insurers and reinsurers in India setting out its fraud regulatory framework.
ING sells stake in Indian life insurer
ING has sold its 26% stake in ING Vysya Life Insurance to its joint venture partner Exide Industries.
India's middle class boom not confined to megacities
Firms looking to supply goods and services to India’s growing middle classes should not ignore those in smaller towns and cities, according to Ambitabh Kundu, Professor of Economics, Jawakarlal Nehru university.
Weather and emerging markets key 2013 risks, warns Willis
Extreme weather and a new generation of emerging markets are among a new list of risks faced by businesses over the next 12 months identified by Willis.
Agricultural insurance could rise 'three to four times' in emerging markets, says Swiss Re
Increases in agricultural production and lack of insurance cover in Asian countries is good news for the emerging market agricultural insurance sector, according to Swiss Re.
Loophole allows Iran to charter India-insured vessel
The National Iranian Tanker Company has chartered a vessel covered by India's state-owned insurers, taking advantage of a loophole in the policy.
Emerging Asia to lead life insurance growth, says Swiss Re
Reinsurer believes life insurance premiums will grow by about 10% in real terms this year in emerging Asia.
Indian general insurers look overseas
New India Assurance, United India Insurance, Oriental Insurance and National Insurance want overseas growth.
Flightsurance bought by 2e Systems
Travel insurance start-up Flightsurance has been acquired by 2e Systems, a technology provider for the travel industry with offices in London and Frankfurt, for an undisclosed fee.
India considers allowing sub-brokers to sell insurance
Plans are under review by the Indian insurance regulator to allow sub-brokers to sell insurance in India.
New India fined for two year delay paying medical claim
Unit Trust of India Technology Services and The New India Assurance Company have been fined Rs 25,000 after incorrectly deducting money from a policyholders medical claim.
Online sales in Asia: ready to take off
Internet access in Asia is growing at 30% a year. Neera Bhardwaj discovers whether this is translating into online sales for the region’s insurance market.