Hong Kong's life insurance industry recorded HK$141.1 billion (US$18 billion) in new policies in the first quarter, a significant increase from the previous year. This marks the third consecutive record-breaking first quarter since the Insurance Authority's establishment in 2016, following Manulife's redomiciliation to the city.
HSBC has agreed to sell its Singapore life and health insurance business, HSBC Life Singapore, to Germany’s Allianz for S$2.7 billion (US$2.08 billion). The deal, expected to finalize in H1 2027 pending regulatory approval, includes a 15-year bancassurance agreement and is projected to generate a US$1.8 billion pre-tax gain for HSBC.
Allianz Group has agreed to acquire HSBC's Singapore life insurance unit for S$2.7 billion ($2.09 billion), expanding its presence in Asia's life and health insurance market. The deal, expected to close in H1 2027, includes a 15-year exclusive distribution partnership with HSBC Singapore.
Insurance tech startup Corgi is reportedly raising a B2 extension round, closely following its B1 raise, which would double its valuation. The Y Combinator alum, offering AI-powered insurance, data room software, and coffee shops, is backed by TCV and Kindred Ventures, with revenue projected to hit $450 million by year-end.
Zhibao Technology Inc., a Nasdaq-listed Chinese InsurTech company, announced a non-binding term sheet to receive approximately 3,500 Bitcoin ($220M) as payment in a PIPE financing. The deal would give buyer Joyertech and Information OPC majority control of Zhibao.
U.S. Treasury yields, including the 10-year note, advanced significantly as Brent crude surpassed $100/barrel due to Middle East tensions, fueling inflation fears. This, coupled with weekly jobless claims falling below 200,000, increased expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike.
Insurance costs for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb have risen sharply as war-related disruption reduces traffic and raises attack risk. S&P Global says premiums in Hormuz have climbed to 7.5%-10% of hull value.
Bảo hiểm PVI được InsuranceAsia News vinh danh ở 4 hạng mục tại Country Awards for Excellence 2026, bao gồm Doanh nghiệp bảo hiểm phi nhân thọ tốt nhất và CEO xuất sắc. Công ty cũng nhận giải từ World Finance, ghi nhận kết quả kinh doanh, chuyển đổi số và quản trị bồi thường.
Shanghai, home to the world's largest container port, has released a five-year plan to enhance its shipping services sector, leveraging AI and automation. The strategy aims to expand value-added industries like financing, insurance, and legal services, intensifying competition with hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and London.
Lloyd's of London found former CEO John Neal and former corporate affairs director Rebekah Clement breached compliance rules by not disclosing a "sufficiently close" relationship, creating a perceived conflict of interest, though no romantic relationship was conclusively proven. Clement is considering legal action.
Lloyd's of London ruled its former CEO John Neal breached compliance rules by not disclosing a "close relationship" with Rebekah Clement, risking a perceived conflict of interest. An investigation found no romantic involvement or promotion failures but noted Neal's conduct didn't change despite concerns, leading to a report to the FCA. Clement is considering legal action.
A West Health-Gallup report reveals 23 million US adults, nearly a quarter of workers, are trapped in "job lock" due to health insurance, a significant rise in five years. This issue, exacerbated by chronic conditions and rising healthcare costs, impacts worker mobility and the economy.
China's low-cost business model requires reform, but structural issues, including local governments' reliance on manufacturing for jobs and tax revenue, hinder effective change and enforcement of labor laws.
Japan is developing a project to map alternative shipping routes around Malaysian states, providing data on depths and hazards, to avoid the Strait of Malacca due to rising geopolitical tensions. This initiative aims to secure Japan's crucial trade, especially energy imports from Gulf states, following US attacks on Iran.
A UK parliamentary committee recommends cutting employer National Insurance contributions for all under-25s to combat rising youth unemployment and the "Neet" crisis, citing "overwhelming evidence" that employment costs reduce job opportunities for young people.
The Balzan family of seven in Wurdong Heights, Queensland, has been living in a caravan and shed for months after Suncorp's delayed remediation of a toilet leak led to widespread mould and cross-contamination, damaging their home and $480,000 worth of Indigenous artwork. The insurer admitted fault for secondary damage but has not provided a timeline for repairs, highlighting broader concerns about insurance industry practices and consumer protections.
Choosing health insurance requires careful consideration beyond just low premiums. Policyholders should assess adequate coverage, understand policy fine print like sub-limits and waiting periods, check the insurer's claim settlement and incurred claim ratios, and ensure access to a cashless hospital network, especially as medical inflation is projected to rise significantly.
A new cross-border insurance policy has overcome a regulatory hurdle, enabling Shenzhen-based Yivtol's S-Zero piloted aircraft to operate in Hong Kong. This policy addresses Hong Kong's aviation insurance requirements, paving the way for mainland developers to enter the city's market.
A Jammu and Kashmir consumer commission ruled that J&K Bank and PNB MetLife India Insurance cannot deny loan-linked insurance benefits by reversing the premium after a borrower's death. The bank and insurer were ordered to pay the insured amount, compensation, and legal costs to the deceased's family.
台灣環境部與南山人壽合作，推出首個針對熱傷害的微型住院保險，台南近3.2萬戶中低收入戶將享一年免保費試辦計畫。此舉是「酷時代氣候關懷行動」一部分，旨在保護弱勢族群免受熱傷害威脅。
The use of AI in medical prior authorization, intended to streamline approvals and reduce waste, is drawing significant criticism from physicians and patient advocates in the US. Concerns are rising over potential increases in wrongful denials and care delays, despite government and industry efforts to reform the process.
The long-standing inverse correlation between US equities and Treasuries, which acted as a 'free insurance policy' for investors, has broken down since 2020. This shift is primarily driven by inflation volatility, causing stocks and bonds to move in tandem, and impacting the appeal of traditional safe havens and risk assets like Bitcoin.
Parental insurance, often a payroll deduction, faces employee hesitation due to high costs. However, high claim incidence and the difficulty seniors face getting individual coverage make it a vital, often guaranteed, workplace benefit.
China Life Insurance, backed by the state, is launching a 5 billion yuan ($737 million) fund to invest in semiconductor companies. This move aims to provide "patient capital" for the strategic industry amid global competition, aligning with national development goals.
