Aathira Varier

Stories by Aathira Varier

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

With firefighting behind them, insurers can now shift gears and focus on growth

Rediff.com   2 days ago

Recent years have been turbulent for the insurance industry due to direct and indirect tax reforms, regulatory overhaul and other external pressures. The events cumulatively slowed growth rate to single digits from the high teens seen earlier.

FinMin: No Directions Given to LIC on Investments

FinMin: No Directions Given to LIC on Investments

Rediff.com   3 days ago

'LIC's investment decisions are taken independently, following strict due diligence, risk assessment and fiduciary compliance.'

Fraud Bleeds Insurers Of Rs 10,000 Crore A Year

Fraud Bleeds Insurers Of Rs 10,000 Crore A Year

Rediff.com   4 days ago

These losses increase insurance premiums for customers and reduce insurer margins on the other.

Insurers to Spend More on Tech for DPDP Compliance

Insurers to Spend More on Tech for DPDP Compliance

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2025

The DPDP rules, which have come into effect, require companies to implement a data protection and consent management system by November 2026.

Pent-up demand boosted retail health insurance segment in October

Pent-up demand boosted retail health insurance segment in October

Rediff.com   19 Nov 2025

Even as non-life insurers reported muted premium growth in October, standalone health insurers saw a robust 38 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) surge. This growth was driven by pent-up demand in the retail health insurance segment.

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

Rediff.com   14 Nov 2025

Canadian firm Manulife and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), an Indian automaker with interests in financial services, have signed an agreement to form a 50:50 life insurance joint venture (JV) with a total capital commitment of up to Rs 3,600 crore each totalling Rs 7,200 crore.

Credit card transactions surge; debit cards' decline: RBI

Credit card transactions surge; debit cards' decline: RBI

Rediff.com   24 Oct 2025

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Payment Systems Report highlighted that between 2019 and 2024, credit card transactions doubled in volume and almost tripled in value. During the same period, however, debit card transactions witnessed a decline, both in volume and value.

Insurance staff oppose pvt sector entry in top PSU posts

Insurance staff oppose pvt sector entry in top PSU posts

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2025

The All India Insurance Employees' Association has opposed the government directive seeking to open up top posts in the state-owned insurers to the private sector, saying this would lead to greater private influence and "eventual privatisation".

Credit quality of companies likely to remain stable in H2

Credit quality of companies likely to remain stable in H2

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2025

Credit quality of Indian corporate is expected to be stable in the second half of the current financial year (H2FY26), supported by easing monetary cycle, and declining inflation, coupled with income-tax relief and rationalisation of the goods and service tax (GST) rates, among others.

'No Indian insurer can ignore bancassurance'

'No Indian insurer can ignore bancassurance'

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2025

'While we expand into other areas, banca remains our primary channel, and we continue to be a banca-led organisation.'

Top four life insurance companies covered 14 mn fewer lives in FY25

Top four life insurance companies covered 14 mn fewer lives in FY25

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2025

Some of the leading life insurance companies have reported a sharp decline in the number of lives covered in FY25, largely due to a slowdown in credit-linked life insurance policies. Stress in the microfinance segment has reduced loan disbursements and, in turn, the flow of new customers to insurers.

Record Rs 474 Cr Insurance Cover For Ganesh Mandal

Record Rs 474 Cr Insurance Cover For Ganesh Mandal

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2025

Of the Rs 474.4 crore insurance cover, the largest component -- Rs 375 crore -- has been allocated towards personal accident cover for volunteers.

Insurers hopeful of reduction in GST on health, life premiums

Insurers hopeful of reduction in GST on health, life premiums

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2025

The life and non-life insurance industries are hopeful of a reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) on health and life insurance premiums, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech on Friday, announced GST relaxations aimed at providing relief to ordinary citizens, farmers, the middle class, and the small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector.

When Workplace Stress Turns Deadly

When Workplace Stress Turns Deadly

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2025

At times, this stress reaches a tipping point, resulting in tragedy. 'Organisations need to empower their people managers to foster psychological safety, where employees feel seen, heard, and supported -- not just as professionals, but as people navigating the pressures of work and life.'

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Renewal of life insurers' policies, after 1 year, declines in June quarter

Rediff.com   11 Aug 2025

The 13th-month persistency rate of life insurers - an important metric indicating the retention of new policies - declined in the first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1FY26). This fall was primarily driven by a lower share of high-value policies, following taxation changes implemented in April 2023.

Irdai proposes internal ombudsman to address claims up to Rs 50 lakh

Irdai proposes internal ombudsman to address claims up to Rs 50 lakh

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2025

The Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (Irdai) on Wednesday proposed setting up an internal insurance ombudsman for insurance companies -- except reinsurers-- with over three years of operation, to address unresolved complaints. The ombudsman will have power to hear complaints for claims up to Rs 50 lakhs.

Compensation Assured for Crash Victims

Compensation Assured for Crash Victims

Rediff.com   14 Jul 2025

The only case where there could be a change in insurance payout is if Air India's management were found to be aware of the accident and the accident was deliberate.

'Future Generali always wanted to outgrow the industry'

'Future Generali always wanted to outgrow the industry'

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2025

'This will be our first large-size bank partner, and hence, the partnership will be a game-changer for us.'

AI 171 Crash: Insurance Cost: $475 Million

AI 171 Crash: Insurance Cost: $475 Million

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2025

'$125 million for the hull and the remaining of over $350 million for liability.'

Mishaps push up helicopter insurance premiums

Mishaps push up helicopter insurance premiums

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2025

Additionally, rates in the aviation sector are also expected to increase due to huge claim outgo in the Air India crash.