Page 17 - The Insurance Times November 2025

insurance policies, including term,
unit-linked, endowment, and family LIC defends Adani investments, cites independent
floater plans, along with their due diligence
reinsurance, to make coverage more Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has clarified that its investments in
affordable and improve penetration. Adani Group companies were made independently, following comprehensive
internal due diligence procedures. In a statement responding to public
SBI Life reports 20% concerns, the state-owned insurer noted that these investments were made
growth in new business in accordance with LIC's existing investment framework, which includes
rigorous evaluation of financials, industry trends, and risk assessment.
premium in H1 FY26 The clarification comes amid continued scrutiny of institutional investors'

SBI Life Insurance has reported a 20% exposure to the Adani Group, especially after allegations surfaced in the
year-on-year increase in its New past over the group's financial practices. LIC emphasised that its investments
Business Premium (NBP) for the first are meant to deliver long-term value to policyholders while adhering to
half of FY26, reaching Rs.15,670 crore. regulatory and internal compliance norms. The insurer also highlighted that
This growth was driven by strong the Adani holdings formed only a small part of its diversified portfolio.
contributions across both individual
LIC reiterated its commitment to transparency and prudent investment
and group segments. Individual New
strategy, aiming to reassure stakeholders about the safety and performance
Business Premium stood at Rs.9,140 of its managed funds.
crore, marking an 18% rise compared
to the same period last year, while
group premium rose 23% to Rs.6,530 insurance policies from Goods and strategy aimed at enhancing customer
crore. Services Tax. The insurer stated that engagement, expanding distribution,
the reduced premium rates would be and leveraging technology to
The company's persistency ratio for applicable to both new and existing streamline operations. The insurer
the 13th month improved to 87.2%, policyholders, leading to direct savings plans to introduce a slew of innovative
showcasing strong customer retention. and increased affordability for life insurance products tailored to meet
SBI Life also reported a solvency ratio
insurance coverage. evolving consumer needs, particularly
of 2.24, well above the regulatory in the savings and protection
requirement of 1.50, indicating a The company emphasised that this segments. The move aligns with its
initiative aligns with its customer-first
robust financial position. ambition to strengthen its position in
philosophy and the broader aim of
The insurer attributed the growth to increasing insurance penetration in the competitive Indian life insurance
its diversified product mix, consistent market.
India. By fully absorbing the impact of
expansion in agency and the GST exemption, ICICI Prudential The company is also banking on digital
bancassurance channels, and Life expects to encourage more people transformation to boost efficiency and
increased digital engagement. SBI Life
to invest in long-term financial improve customer experience.
continues to focus on delivering
protection. The announcement comes Automation of backend processes, AI-
protection and long-term savings
at a time when industry stakeholders based customer service tools, and
products to cater to evolving customer are under pressure to transfer the tax advanced analytics for underwriting are
needs across urban and rural India.
benefits to customers, even as they among the key focus areas.
navigate input tax credit (ITC) Additionally, the insurer will continue to
ICICI Prudential Life passes implications on profitability. invest in training its agent network and
full GST benefit to deepen partnerships in bancassurance
Canara HSBC Life outlines channels to widen reach.
policyholders
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has growth roadmap, eyes Canara HSBC Life has expressed
announced that it will pass on the full product innovation and confidence that this multi-pronged
benefit of the GST rate cut to its strategy will help achieve sustainable
customers. This move follows the tech adoption growth while remaining aligned with
recent decision by the GST Council to Canara HSBC Life Insurance has regulatory expectations and customer-
exempt individual life and health unveiled a comprehensive growth centric values.

16 November 2025 The Insurance Times