From July 1st 2011, health insurance policy holders in India will be able to change insurance providers, without the fear of losing their benefits from their previous policy. With the new initiative issued by the IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority), industry leaders in India predict an increase in competition among health insurance providers, as policy-holders will be afforded greater…

India-based joint-venture Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company has launched a new policy dubbed the Star Package Policy, which provides modular coverage of up to eight separate risks, ranging from health insurance coverage to home contents insurance. Star Package provides eight coverage options which are a mix of health insurance, life insurance and general insurance risks. The policy options…

Aviva investors have started to question whether the refusal of the GBP 5 billion (EUR 4.13 billion) bid from RSA Insurance Group Plc was the correct way forward, and this question is being addressed to Mr Andrew Moss, who three months after becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Aviva Plc back in July 2007, unveiled his "One Aviva Twice the Value" strategy. Fast forward to the present, and Aviva shares have lost almost half their value since then, prompting investors to ponder about the merits of a breakup of the company.

Citing the massive increase in awareness to insure themselves against possible causalities, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has projected that premium from General Insurance will rise to levels of close to US$22.2 billion (EUR 16.4 billion) in the next 5 years.

Lloyds Banking Group plc (LBG) of the UK has sold 70% of its stake in esure, an Internet-based insurer, for approximately US$289 million. With this sale, LBG intends to regain focus on its core general insurance business through its brands of Halifax and Lloyds TSB.