Insurtech firm Zopper is currently focussed on scaling up its operations and may consider going public in the next 3 to 5 years, a top company official said. The company has recently raised $25 million in growth capital from investors to accelerate its expansion and invest in new-age technology.

In India, insurance policies across all major categories—life, property, health and personal accident—uniformly exclude coverage for war-related incidents. This industry-wide practice stems from the immense and unpredictable nature of war, which insurance companies regard as a systemic risk beyond the scope of standard underwriting.

“In India, insurance coverage generally excludes non-natural/manmade force majeure events like acts of war, political unrest, terrorism, invasion, civil war, rebellion, or insurrection etc. as exclusions and damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by potentially catastrophic and unpredictable losses is not generally insured,” Anjali Jain, Partner, Areness Law said. “War insurances are common in marine or aircraft or other international trades as Indian insurance industry typically relies on NMA 464 i.e. the War and Civil War Exclusion Clause which exclude coverage for losses or damages caused by war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, civil war, and other similar events. Even in 26/11 attacks, the said clause was effectively invoked by insurance providers and it was echoed that damages caused by any terrorist organisation are too great to be covered by any general policy,” she said.

A recent survey by AXIS Capital and The Harris Poll reveals that 88 percent of full-time insurance workers report significant stress and anxiety, driven by factors like economic instability, cyber threats, geopolitical shifts, and the rapid transformation fuelled by AI. These mounting pressures coincide with increased workloads, with 84 percent of workers indicating that their responsibilities have grown heavier. This intensifying pressure is particularly evident in the comment from a US-based reinsurance analyst: “We’re trained to assess external risks, but there’s little focus on the psychological toll we face. It’s like trying to put out fires with an empty hose.” The inability to manage the internal stress while addressing external risks has left professionals at a breaking point.

Despite the widespread recognition of these challenges, insurance professionals are not staying silent. The survey found that 77 percent of workers actively sought mental health support in the past year, particularly younger employees, with 82 percent of those aged 18–34 and 81 percent of those aged 35–44 reaching out for help. However, this effort is not without its hurdles. Only 64 percent of employees aged 45 and above report using mental health resources, suggesting that stigma may still hinder older generations from seeking help.

Term insurance has become the top financial priority for Gen Zs, driven by a strong desire for long-term security, affordability, and simplicity, a study has said. According to the study conducted by Tata AIA Life Insurance and NielsenIQ, titled ‘New Age Habits, Traditional Values: Gen Z’s Approach to Financial Planning’, 31 percent of Gen Z respondents plan to purchase term insurance, the highest among all life insurance categories available to them. Further, it said that 1 in 4 prefer a Term + Wealth combo, blending protection with savings. Notably, 57 percent of Gen Z intenders are willing to invest over Rs 2,000 per month, showing a stronger intent than current policyholders in this cohort. The study surveyed working Gen Z individuals aged 21–28 years (born between 1997-2012). Gen Zs are embracing term insurance not as a backup, but as the foundation of their financial wellness strategy.

More Indians are using credit and debit cards than ever before, but few are aware that some cards come with various types of insurance. These include personal accidental death insurance, lost card liability, loss or delay of check-in baggage, loss of travel documents, and emergency overseas hospitalisation. The coverage limit depends on the type of card you have and the credit limit available to you. For example, HDFC Bank's Platinum debit card offers up to ₹3 crore of international air accident cover, as does its Infinia credit card. State Bank of India's Pride debit card offers ₹4 lakh coverage in case of death in an air accident, and ₹2 lakh for other accidents. The figures for its Platinum debit card are ₹10 lakh and ₹5 lakh, respectively. Remember, almost all death coverage through credit and debit cards is for accidental and not natural death, insurance through a card is no substitute for a regular term plan. However, this complementary insurance can provide extra cushion for your family in the worst-case scenario, so make sure you take all the steps you need to be eligible for it.

Simply owning such a card is not enough – you also need to fulfil certain conditions to stay eligible. For example, the card must be active – that is, it must have been used for at least one transaction a certain number of days (specified by the bank) before the date of accident, or for a certain number of transactions in a year. With some cards, you're only eligible for air accident death cover if you bought the ticket with that card. Similarly, to be eligible for travel-related coverage such as loss or delay of baggage, the ticket must have been bought using the card. "Each bank may have additional terms and conditions. For instance, the card must have been used in the past 30-60-90 days; and it must not be in default (all payments must be up to date). Some cards may not cover death by suicide, terrorist attack, etc," said Samit Singh, founder, Happy Retirement.

"If you have two cards from the same bank, it will accept the claim only under one card, usually the one with the higher limit," he added. The bank may or may not ask you to fill in the nomination form, so enquire about it yourself and make sure to do it after getting the card. But what if you don't do this? Can your family still claim the death cover? "In the case of a debit card, the insurance company may give money to a joint holder or to a nominee mentioned in the linked savings account. In case of a credit card, if there's no nominee, the insurance company may want to see a court decree of who are the legal heirs," said Singh. If something happens to you and your family has to file a claim, they should do so within 30 days of the incident. There's also a time limit to submit documents after filing a claim, so check with your bank. It's 60 days in the case of HDFC Bank and 15 days for Bank of Baroda.

Bobcard's most important terms & conditions (MITC) document reads, "All insurance-related queries/claims to be sent to insurance@bobcard.co.in within 30 days from the date of customer’s death. If the claim is not reported to BOBCARD Limited within 30 days, the claim is not admissible. Documents to be submitted further in 15 days of claim intimation date. If document is not submitted to BOBCARD within the above time period, the claim is not admissible & will be declined/rejected by insurance company." Needless to say, the total coverage will be adjusted against any pending dues on the card before the insurance company releases it to the nominees.

For the first time in the state, Mysuru Milk Union Limited (Mymul) has decided to bring all 65,000 milk producers to avail themselves livestock insurance for their cattle. Until recent years, Mymul funded 50 percent of the annual premium payment amount for each cattle and collected the remaining 50 percent from the milk producers. Out of the Rs 550 annual premium amount, including other service charges, it collected Rs 275 from milk producers. As only 10,000 milk producers registered for this insurance cover, Mymul has now extended free insurance cover to all its 65,000 dairy farmers to avail themselves of the benefit. The insurance cover not only offers financial protection against losses due to death or disability of livestock, but also covers accidental deaths, disease, and surgical intervention. This has come as a huge relief for dairy farmers of the district. It will be benefiting about one lakh families involved in dairy farming across the district.

Even as peace is returning to border states in India after India’s military strikes on Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attacks, 32 airports across several northern and western states remain closed for civilian flight operations until May 15. They include Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Shimla and Dharamsala. Since the suspension of operations came during the peak summer vacation season, it affected the plans of several tourists. According to insurance companies, while international travel insurance is popular, domestic travel policies have not gained traction in India. However, even travellers who might have purchased these policies, particularly through travel portals, might not necessarily be able to claim compensation for cancelled flights or trips.

Allianz Partners, a world leader in B2B2C Insurance and Assistance services, today announced the findings of Allianz Travel Index 2025. The survey reveals that about 47 percent of Indians who are planning to travel in 2025 have saved up to 126k INR or more. This is higher among males and higher income earners. Commissioned to Kantar Consumer Link, over 1000 Indian adults were surveyed to understand their holiday aspirations and preferences while travelling. The survey highlights that majority of Indians are likely to purchase travel insurance for their trip for security and peace of mind.

UK-India Business Council's chair Richard Heald has defended a provision of the India-UK free-trade agreement (FTA) that has sparked a row in his country over a potential two-tier tax system. The deal, signed on May 6, exempts short-term Indian workers from national insurance (NI) contributions for three years. In an interview of Moneycontrol, Heald said the exemption is “entirely logical”, as British workers in India aren’t subject to such levies. The exemption is not an open door for immigration from India on a permanent basis, since the UK has not increased the scope or number of temporary visas for Indians. Edited excerpt:

India and the UK have concluded an FTA after more than three years of talks. What is the biggest highlight of this trade agreement for you?

With the complications of 26 chapters, that the fifth and the sixth largest economies in the world can agree to a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of this magnitude in three years speaks of the intensity and seriousness of the relationship. Moreover, the benefits to both India and the UK are palpable and very high underscoring the substance of the Agreement. The UK government estimates that the deal will result in a £25.5 billion addition to bilateral trade, adding some £4.8billion a year to UK’s economy and I would imagine there will be similar benefits for India. Moreover, the benefits will extend beyond this. The FTA encourage and catalyse co-development, co-creation and co-manufacturing between the India and the UK in key strategic areas, some of which were underlined in the Technology Security Initiative inked by both governments in July 2024. And fundamentally, the benefits of this transformative FTA is the impetus given to relocating Indian MSMEs that may not yet be present in the UK or UK MSMEs that may not yet be located in India and allowing both India and the UK to become more involved in each other critical supply chains.

In light of the recent ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, individuals and businesses are now reassessing whether their lives, properties, and commercial interests remain financially protected through insurance in the event of any unforeseen conflict-related damages. A critical legal and contractual issue arises: whether such war-related losses are typically covered under standard insurance policies in India. The consistent position under Indian insurance law and judicial interpretation is that damages resulting from acts of war are not covered under standard insurance contracts, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Most insurance policies in India—whether they pertain to property, life, business assets, or cargo—contain exclusion clauses that clearly deny coverage for losses arising out of war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether war be declared or not), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, or military or usurped power. This exclusion is not hidden in fine print; it is a foundational clause in nearly every policy. As highlighted by the Insurance Brokers Association of India, the “war exclusion” applies to civilians and military personnel alike, barring claims for losses or deaths caused by war, invasions, hostilities, or similar military operations. Even if a policy is active and all premiums are paid, if the loss is traced to a war-related event, insurers have clear grounds to deny the claim. This is true for property insurance as well: if a home or business is damaged by cross-border strikes or military action, the insurer will classify it under the war exclusion and reject the claim, regardless of the intensity of the conflict or the proximity to the border.

Anjali Jain, Partner and Appekshya Suhag, Managing Associate at Areness Law

The State government will soon implement a health insurance scheme for underweight newborns, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian said on Sunday. The State government will soon implement a health insurance scheme for underweight newborns, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian said on Sunday. Speaking at an event at Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital (TMCH), Mr. Subramanian said of the 9.5 lakh annual deliveries in the State, around 50,000 infants are born underweight. The proposed scheme aims to ensure medical monitoring and care for such infants from birth.

The announcement was made during the inauguration of 16 new medical buildings constructed at a cost of ₹11.82 crore and the foundation laying ceremony for 13 additional buildings worth ₹7.45 crore. The event was presided over by Thanjavur District Collector B. Priyanka Pankajam. Highlighting efforts to enhance early disease detection, Mr. Subramanian said a full-body diagnostic centre at TMCH had been upgraded at a cost of ₹5 crore. While private hospitals charged ₹17,000 to ₹18,000 for full-body checkups, government hospitals now offer the same for ₹1,000 to ₹4,000.

Citing the increased trust in public healthcare, the Minister said patient footfall in government hospitals had doubled. To further improve services, a pay-and-use treatment ward with 28 rooms had been launched at TMCH, with a daily charge of ₹1,000 as against ₹8,000 to ₹9,000 charged by private hospitals. He announced that a dedicated ward for transgender patients had been opened at TMCH. Over the last four years, the hospital had added 80 buildings worth ₹65.8 crore with a ₹23.75- crore 50-bed block to be inaugurated by Chief Minister during his visit next month. Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan, MPs, MLAs, and local officials were present.

IRDAI's common empanelment drive is underway, with insurers onboarding 4,000 - 5,000 hospitals for a cashless network. With the PMJAY pricing model expanding its reach in the health insurance space, insurers spoke on how this shift could change hospital partnerships and claim settlements.

The I additional district consumer disputes redressal commission has ruled in favour of a Bengalurean who faced months of frustration after purchasing an extended warranty plan for his new smart TV, only to receive neither a valid policy nor assistance. Basavaraj KM, a 34-yearold resident of Palace Guttahalli, filed a complaint against Jeeves Consumer Services Pvt Ltd, a Flipkart service partner, for failing to issue the insurance policy despite receiving payment. Basa varaj bought a Thomson 43-inch Ultra HD 4K Smart TV via Flipkart on Feb 11, 2023. Two days later, he noticed a display defect — a single black dot on the screen. When he reported it, a technician visited but declined to provide service, citing a policy that repairs or replacements are initiated only if there are three or more such defects.

Shriram General Insurance on Monday reported an 8 percent rise in profit to ₹130 crore during the March quarter. The company reported a post-tax profit of ₹121 crore in the year-ago period. The gross direct premium income of the company improved to ₹1,099 crore against ₹876 crore in the same quarter a year ago, registering a growth of 25 percent. Shriram General Insurance on Monday reported an 8 percent rise in profit to ₹130 crore during the March quarter. The company reported a post-tax profit of ₹121 crore in the year-ago period. The gross direct premium income of the company improved to ₹1,099 crore against ₹876 crore in the same quarter a year ago, registering a growth of 25 percent.

For the financial year ended March 2025, the general insurance arm of Shriram group posted a 13 percent increase in net profit to ₹515 crore from ₹455 crore in the previous year. The solvency ratio was 3.51 times at March-end against minimum regulatory requirement of 1.5 times. Looking ahead, Shriram General Insurance Company MD and CEO Anil Aggarwal said, “We are focused on diversifying our portfolio, expanding our digital capabilities, and enhancing our presence in underserved markets. We believe our strategic initiatives are designed to deliver sustainable growth and value for our stakeholders.”

The number of Americans purchasing self-defence insurance in the United States has surged in recent years, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Industry executives stated approximately two million individuals have enrolled, with some companies reporting their membership has doubled over the past five years. Coverage is not restricted to shooting incidents; most providers will defend members charged with other offences, such as gun-related threats, provided there is a credible self-defence claim. Many companies feature premium plans that may include coverage for crime scene cleanup (in homes or vehicles), expenses related to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) violations, costs associated with accidental discharges and protection extending to spouses and minor children.

This has led to criticism from gun-control advocates who say the practice could foster more violence. Some are calling it ‘murder insurance’, and say that it is being marketed in a way that feeds on the nation’s racial divisions. Critics say that rather than promoting personal responsibility and protection, it encourages gun owners to take action and not worry about the consequences. Guns Down, a gun-control group formed in 2016, is one of the many groups to criticise the insurance policy. While the US Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) and US Law Shield dominate the market, approximately six medium and small competitors also operate in this industry. Monthly premiums vary from roughly $11 to $59.