The ultimate winner
In most countries, insurance is private business. Even China had to throw its doors open for private insurance companies. Sadly, the insurance industry scenario in India is different. Reforms might be evolving, but the insurance industry is still a government monopoly.

Editorial -- Level the field
As reforms unfold in the Indian insurance industry, war cries are already being heard. Not just the new entrants, even the Indian public sector insurance behemoths are demanding a level playing field.

The arithmetic of premia
Low premia and better service. These will be the drivers of success for insurance companies in a liberalised environment. Can the state-controlled insurance companies offer better service at low premia?

Where is the level playing field?
You can hear the war cries. Even before the Indian insurance industry could roll out the red carpet to private sector players, both public sector and private sector players have begun jamming the alarm bells. The provocation: they need a level playing field.

A rough ride ahead
An insurance survey by LIC, and KPMG's research report reveal interesting facets of the emerging trends in the Indian insurance industry.

Changing face of Indian insurance
Liberalisation and reforms have the potential to change the complexion of an industry. The Indian insurance is no exception. The government is serious about opening up the industry.

"India needs foreign players"
Abhaya Jain is country chief of Aetna in India. Incorporated in 1853, Aetna is basically into health insurance and financial services. Aetna operates in 16 countries.

"General insurance has potential"
CGU, a global insurance major, has allied with Hindustan Times for life insurance and the Wadia group for general insurance in India. Nick Helms, CGU's chief representative (India).

Bancassurance: the new buzzword
Bancassurance blends insurance products with a bank network. It is fast emerging as a key channel of distribution in the global insurance industry.

"We want level playing field"
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) is an insurance colossus. Not perturbed by the opening up of the insurance industry, LIC is working at launching new insurance products. Spearheading LIC's evolving strategy is its chairman G Krishnamurthy.

"Insurance products are not bought"
J Rajagopal is the managing director of KPMG (I) Private Ltd. In an interview with Madhu Suthanan of FE-Thinktank, he elaborates on the future of the Indian insurance business in the post-liberalisation era.