IndiaFirst Life forays into health insurance

IndiaFirst Life Insurance on Wednesday forayed into the health insurance segment by launching a new product and said it expects to garner about 10 per cent of its total premium within next three years.

The company, a joint venture between public sector lenders Bank of Baroda and Andhra Bank along with UK-based investment firm Legal & General, also said it aims to sell at least 1 lakh health insurance policies within that period.

"As a line of business, health offers the best potential in the insurance sector. We have today launched out first plan -- IndiaFirst Money Back Health Insurance Plan -- and in the coming days, we will come out with more offers," IndiaFirst Life Insurance Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer P Nandagopal said.

The Money Back Plan would offer protection to customers for up to 10 years. The minimum premium payout of the customer would be Rs 10,000.

The health insurance cover would be a minimum for Rs 1.5 lakh and maximum of Rs 10 lakh.

"Health insurance, along would pension and micro- insurance, would be our three focus areas and we expect 10 per cent of our total business to come from health insurance within three years," Nandagopal said.

We also aim to sell at least one lakh health insurance policies in next three years, it added. The plan would offer health cover as well as savings option to the customer.

A part of the premium, depending on the age and health of the customer, would be credited into the buyer's policy account and this money would be invested in various funds to get optimum returns.

"The plan offers a comprehensive health cover for the entire family along with the investment flexibility to grow wealth by investing in different funds under a single plan," Nandagopal said.

"Our aim is to grow by 40 per cent year-on-year and be among the top six players within three years in the life insurance segment," he said.

IndiaFirst Life Insurance, which started operations in March 2010, currently has total premium of over Rs 1,000 crore.

A large population is without health insurance, as the industry has reached only 4.22 per cent of Indians. Around 14 crore people in urban areas remain untouched by any form of health insurance.

IndiaFirst to introduce health insurance, pension products next financial

IndiaFirst Life Insurance, jointly promoted by Bank of Baroda, Andhra Bank and Legal & General, is planning to introduce health and pension products before March. The JV is also proposing to enter the micro insurance business in the 1st quarter of next financial.
The life insurance company expects Rs 800 crore premium collection throughout the 1st year of operation. So far, it has collected Rs 500 crore and by March end, could mobilise another Rs 300 crore, P Nandagopal, managing director and chief executive officer, IndiaFirst, told media persons on Monday.
“BoB and Andhra Bank both have around 4,800 branches across the country. Of this, about 3,500 branches are active and we are currently selling insurance policies through these branches,” he said.
IndiaFirst has 12 branches in the country and during the next financial year plans to open another 18. “We are looking for more business by increasing the alternate channel of distribution to sell our products and would appoint about 3,000 insurance advisers shortly,” he said.