The 2022-23 economic survey indicates greater insurance penetration. Know more 22^nd February 2023

The Ministry of Finance and Corporate Affairs of the Government of India presented the Economic Survey 2022-23 along with the budget on the 1st of February, 2023, in the parliament. It projects optimistic growth in the Indian economy in the current year because of the high private consumption, increased investment and production activity, higher capital expenditure, and strong revival of the service sector post the dull phase of Covid-19.

The insurance sector in India has also grown at a rapid pace, especially after the pandemic. The 2022-23 economic survey indicates greater insurance penetration. Let us know more about it.

Insurance penetration and its pace:

Insurance penetration is the total insurance premium ratio to a country's gross domestic product in a particular year. It is a globally accepted indicator of the growth of the insurance sector of a country.

Insurance penetration in India was a meagre 2.7% in the year 2000. The 2022-23 economic survey reveals that it rose to 4.2% in 2020 and 3.2% in 2021. It is also slightly higher than the global average, pointing to the efficient functioning of the sector in India.

While greater awareness is one of the factors that has led to such positive figures, tech advancement in insurance sectors and the facilities to buy insurance policy online are also to be credited.

Insurance density:

Insurance density is the ratio of the total premium collected to the country's total population. In other words, it is the per capita premium of a country. The insurance density in India was $11.5 in the year 2001. According to the 2022-23 economic survey, it has risen sharply to $91 by 2021.

The density for life insurance was US$69, while that for non-life insurance was US$22 in 2021. The survey also indicates that savings-linked life insurance products are the highest selling in India.

Reasons for increased penetration.

1. Digitisation of the insurance market:
Many surveys state that the digitisation of the insurance sector in recent years has fuelled its growth in India. Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the implementation of advanced technology in the insurance sector have increased efficiency and enhanced synergy.
App-based policy sales and renewal, online premium payment, and speedy claim settlement processes have helped the sector to grow and penetrate rapidly. The permit to conduct video-based know-your-customer (KYC) documentation and rewarding low-risk behaviour has also helped boost demand and penetration.

2. Increase in FDI limits:
The survey also states that the increase in FDI limits to 74% in companies that provide insurance cover has helped bring foreign capital into the Indian insurance sector. 100% FDI has been allowed for insurance intermediaries like brokerages. This has helped the industry to snowball.

3. Post-Covid awareness:
According to the surveys, the non-life insurance sector will likely witness increased penetration due to post-covid awareness of health insurance. People have realised the importance of health insurance, due to which its demand is witnessing a steady rise.
The government also provides strong insurance support by promoting the mass health program "Ayushman Bharat." It annually provides a health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per beneficiary family. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is another innovative non-life insurance product operational in India. It provides risk coverage up to Rs. 2 lakhs and has contributed to greater insurance penetration.

The 2022-23 economic survey has correctly stated that insurance penetration is at a record high in India. While people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of insurance post the Covid-19 pandemic in India, the increase in digitisation and efficiency in the issue and claim settlement process has further led to greater insurance penetration.
Online insurance has been a blessing for the insurance industry and immensely contributes to increasing the demand for insurance products and boosting growth. Choose to buy insurance policy online to make the process easier and hassle-free.

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Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.