From Premium Growth to Policyholder Access: The New Life Insurance Landscape

India’s life insurance industry surges 40% YoY in December 2025

14 Jan 2026

India’s life insurance sector rebounded strongly in December 2025, with new business premiums rising 39.5% year-on-year to $4.6 billion, reversing earlier declines in 2024 and mid-2025. Growth was broad-based across individual and group segments, with LIC outperforming private insurers. Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) increased 28.3% YoY, led by LIC’s 44.1% rise. The recovery was supported by GST waivers, improved affordability, and rising demand for recurring premium products. CareEdge expects the industry to grow 8–11% annually over the next two years, driven by regulation, digital adoption, product innovation, and regional expansion by private insurers.

Shin Kong and Taishin complete life insurance merger

13 Jan 2026

Shin Kong Life and Taishin Life have completed their merger, creating a Taiwanese insurer with over NTD 4 trillion ($128 billion) in assets. Taishin Life remains the legal entity but has adopted the Shin Kong Life brand, preserving its 60-year legacy. The leadership team, including Paul Wei as chairman and Huang Min-yi as president, will guide integration, growth, and digitalisation efforts. The merged company plans to align products, leverage complementary distribution networks, expand cross-selling, and enhance customer engagement. The merger combines Shin Kong’s strength in traditional life and health insurance with Taishin’s expertise in investment-linked and interest-sensitive products.

Inclined Introduces Mobile App to Simplify Access to Whole Life Insurance Cash Value

7 Jan 2026

Inclined has launched a new iOS mobile app that gives whole life insurance policyowners real-time access to their policy’s cash value through the Inclined Line of Credit (iLOC). The app allows users to view balances, draw funds, make payments, manage linked accounts, and access policy documents instantly, streamlining a process that was previously slow and paperwork-heavy. By modernizing insurance-backed liquidity, the app helps policyowners integrate their cash value into broader financial planning while maintaining long-term policy benefits. Inclined aims to enhance control, transparency, and convenience for policyowners, reflecting today’s mobile-first approach to money management. The app is available on the Apple App Store for approved iLOC clients.