Investment income drives general insurers' profitability, says...

Strong investment returns continue to help India s general insurance companies offset underwriting losses, and allow them to report overall profitability. The underwriting performance of general insurance companies in the country remains dismal with most of the players yet to report underwriting profits, says Crisisl in its latest study. Underwriting performance in the industry has been under increasing pressure, especially since 2007, when key segments such as motor, fire and engineering were detariffed. This pressure is evident from the sharp increase in underwriting losses to almost Rs 5,000 crore in 2008-09 (refers to financial year April 1 to March 31) from ...

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