Save Non life insurance Govt companies-Govt to disinvest

There is news that Indian government is in consultation to sell stakes in major Non life insurance companies. These are New India Assurance, National Insurance, oriental and United India. Is this move done to get more cash for government or it wants to modernize these players.

In Non life segment- the two major categories come are -
1. Health Insurance
2. Motor Insurance

With these companies who have large market share - it will certainly change the industry.
For customers - what this can do.

These companies are considered honest in terms of claims but to get claim in these companies is a very tedious work.

With selling the stake- may be new teams will get appointed who will look after the concerns in delay of claims etc.

The other motive behind this govt move can be to insure these companies do not get into large losses and with public participation in capital, they make find there way to profitability.
To comply with norms all these companies will have to have independent directors which will help in restructing.

United India eyes 15% premium increase in FY10

Public sector general insurer United India Insurance Company is confident of achieving 15(%) per cent growth in its premium income to Rs 6,000 crore this financial year on the back of sound growth from all verticals of the company.
“With tangible improvement in overall economy, we hope to achieve 15(%) per cent growth in premium income this fiscal,” G Srinivasan, CMD of United India Insurance Company said.
United India had posted a net profit of Rs 707 crore in FY10 — a 48(%) per cent rise over the related period last year. Premium income of the company stood at Rs 5,239 crore throughout the same period with an underwriting loss of around Rs 900 crore.
Referring to underwriting losses, he said, “Health and motor insurance are two areas where underwriting losses are higher for the company. While no one is making money from the health insurance section, third-party motor insurance are making losses due to low premium.”
Insurance industry in general is facing edge force in the health insurance section due to group mediclaim policies, rising cost of health expenses and general inflation. Also, the government decision to allow life insurer to sell health insurance products, margins have been additional squeezed.
Srinivasan also said the premium for third-party motor insurance claims should be increased to lessen the underwriting losses.