How Many Insurance Companies are There in India
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  • How Many Insurance Companies are There in India

How Many Insurance Companies are There in India

Team Careers360Updated on 31 Mar 2023, 10:35 AM IST

Introduction

In the past ten years, India's insurance industry has experienced significant growth and the introduction of a vast array of cutting-edge products. This resulted in a challenging competition that had a successful and beneficial outcome. At present, there are 57 Insurance companies in India. India's insurance industry contributes significantly to the health of the country's economy. It greatly expands people's opportunities to save money, protects their future, and aids the insurance industry in building up a sizable fund reserve. The insurance industry greatly contributes to the capital markets with the aid of these funds, thereby accelerating significant infrastructure developments in India.

The Indian Insurance Sector

Life insurance and non-life insurance are the two main divisions of the Indian insurance market. General Insurance is another name for the non-life insurance market. The IRDAI oversees both life insurance and non-life insurance (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India). The IRDA is responsible for closely observing the entire Indian insurance industry and serving as the custodian of all insurance consumer rights. For this reason, all insurers are required to abide by the IRDAI's rules and regulations. There are 57 insurance companies in India's insurance sector as a whole. The remaining 33 companies are non-life insurers, leaving 24 companies that offer life insurance.

While non-life insurance companies provide coverage for our daily lives, such as travel, health insurance, cars and bikes, and home insurance, life insurance companies provide coverage for the individual's life. In addition to this, our industrial equipment is also covered by non-life insurance companies. The general insurance companies in India also offer other insurance products, such as crop insurance for our farmers, gadget insurance for mobile devices, pet insurance, etc. In recent years, life insurance companies have developed investment prospectuses to offer insurance while also helping your savings grow. However, general insurance companies are still hesitant to provide people with pure-risk coverage.

The Past of the Insurance Sector in India

A decade ago, LIC was the only company offering life insurance in the entire history of the Indian insurance industry. In India, non-life insurance, or general insurance, was offered by other public sector organisations like National Insurance, United India Insurance, Oriental Insurance, and New India Assurance. However, in 2000, new private-sector companies entered India. In India, the insurance industry is currently dominated by 24 life insurance companies and 30 non-life insurance companies. However, there are still a great number of insurers requesting IRDAI approval to launch both the life insurance and non-life insurance sectors in India.

The Present of the Insurance Sector in India

The only government-controlled organisations that stand out both in terms of market share and contribution to the insurance sector in India are LIC, New India, National Insurance, United Insurance, and Oriental. There are two specialised insurers: Export Credit Guarantee of India, which provides credit insurance, and Agriculture Insurance Company Ltd., which provides crop insurance. But there are also private insurers (both life and general), who began their insurance operations in India through partnerships with foreign insurers.

Life Insurance Companies

Private Sector Companies

  1. Bharti AXA Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  2. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  3. Future Generali India Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  4. Shriram Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  5. Aviva Life Insurance Co. India Ltd.

  6. Birla Sun Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  7. Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  8. IDBI Federal Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  9. Max Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  10. PNB MetLife India Insurance Co. Ltd.

  11. Exide Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  12. Star Union Dai-Ichi Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  13. IndiaFirst Life Insurance Co. Ltd

  14. Tata AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  15. Aegon Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  16. SBI Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  17. Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance Co. Ltd

  18. Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  19. Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance Ltd.

  20. Reliance Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  21. HDFC Standard Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

  22. DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

Health Insurance Companies

  1. Religare Health Insurance Co. Ltd.

  2. Apollo Munich Health Insurance Co.Ltd.

  3. Max Bupa Health Insurance Co. Ltd.

  4. Star Health Allied Insurance Co. Ltd.

  5. Cigna TTK Health Insurance Co. Ltd.

India's insurance industry currently controls its market thanks to this collaboration with foreign markets. In 2000, India permitted private companies in the insurance sector, limiting FDI to 26%, which was raised to 49% in 2014. According to IRDAI, the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2015 allows for an increase in the foreign investment cap in an Indian insurance company from 26% to a 49% explicitly composite limit while preserving Indian ownership and control. Private insurers like HDFC, ICICI, and SBI have been fierce rivals in India's insurance market.

The Future of The Insurance Sector in India

Despite LIC's continued dominance of the Indian insurance market, both the life and non-life insurance sectors will experience vigorous expansion and growth in 2017. There is a huge demand for new insurance policies with low premiums. Since the domestic economy cannot expand rapidly, India's insurance industry is regulated to ensure strong growth. The insurance industry in India would introduce new trends like product innovation, multi-distribution, better claims management, and regulatory trends in the Indian market as a result of rising incomes, exponential growth in purchasing power, and household savings.

The government also works hard to offer insurance to people who live below the poverty line by implementing programmes like the:

  • Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY),

  • Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and

  • Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY).

The introduction of these programmes would make it easier for Indians with lower and lower-middle income levels to take advantage of the new policies' reduced premiums. The future of the life insurance sector in India appears to be very bright and promising as a result of several regulatory changes. The way insurers manage their business and interact with their real customers would also change as a result of this. The insurance industry in India will experience significant growth as a result of certain demographic factors, including rising insurance awareness, retirement planning, a growing middle class, and a young population that is eligible for insurance.

Notes

Here are five key components of an insurance policy that everyone needs to be aware of:

  • Premium

One of the most crucial factors to consider when selecting insurance is the premium. The ongoing cost of maintaining an insurance policy is known as the premium. Within the constraints of your policy, you can choose a different schedule or pay your entire premium upfront.

  • Deductible

If you do, unfortunately, need to file a claim with your insurance provider, you will first need to pay the deductible before your insurance benefits begin to apply. Your premium rates will change if your policy limits change, just like they will if your deductibles do. You can anticipate higher premiums for higher limits. But if you have any doubts about your coverage, it's worth talking to your agent about because raising your limits might be less expensive than you think.

  • Exclusions

You may run into several exclusions, or damage types that your insurance does not cover, depending on the type of insurance you select. For instance, most homeowners' insurance policies don't cover earthquake or flood damage. You might want to find additional coverage if you reside in a region that is vulnerable to either of those events.

  • Riders - Extra options and coverage

Adding riders to your insurance policy is an optional extra that can expand its features or level of coverage. You might want to add a rider to your home insurance that specifically covers expensive jewellery. Your insurance can be improved by a variety of riders.

The price of adding new features to an insurance policy will probably increase. However, the extra expense is frequently justified by the benefits they offer. With the help of your insurance agent, learn more about the riders that could enhance the value of your insurance policy and alter them to better suit your needs.

  1. Health insurance is a type of insurance that, in the event of a medical emergency, pays for the insured person's medical and surgical costs. However, to obtain a health insurance policy, you must pay a premium.

  1. Here are a few of the general insurance options offered in India:

  • Health Insurance.

  • Motor Insurance.

  • Home Insurance.

  • Fire Insurance.

  • Travel Insurance.

  1. You may encounter various kinds of policy limits when reviewing an insurance policy, including:

  • Per-occurrence limits: The most a given insurer will shell out for a single occurrence or claim.

  • Per-person limits: The highest amount an insurer will settle claims from one person.

  • Combined limits: A single limit that may be used in conjunction with various coverage options.

  • Aggregate Limits: The maximum amount that can be spent on all claims in a given time frame (often a year).

  • Split Limits: Limits that are per occurrence, per person, and aggregated together.

  • Special Limits: The highest amount that will be paid out for a particular item that is insured under an insurance policy, such as a pricey work of art under a homeowners policy.

4. Risk is the possibility that something negative or unexpected will occur in the context of insurance. This could result in the destruction, loss, or theft of priceless items, as well as loss or harm to people.