The Indian insurance sector is rapidly moving towards international standards of free (risk-based) market pricing and new/innovative product offerings. Big changes have occurred over the last seven years, during which the sector was opened to private participation, but with foreign direct investment (FDI) capped at 26%.
In line with forecasts for a continuation of solid growth and strong domestic demand, the number of insurers in the private sector will keep growing. Major foreign players see opportunities to increase both volumes and types of products. With the regulator possibly lifting the ceiling on foreign ownership to 49%, the capacities of domestic partners would no longer constrain capital levels for joint ventures. Until 2000, the general insurance sector had only four public sector players, formed after the nationalization of 107 general insurers. The public enterprises – Oriental Insurance Company of India (OIC), National Insurance, Company of India (NIC), New India Assurance Company of India (NIA) and United Insurance Company of India (UII) — were located in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai respectively. They primarily focused on their immediate regions and there was little competition, leading to a near monopolistic environment.