Asia Pacific Life and Health insurance

Life & Health.

Features and key stories

Nighttime city skyline with densely packed buildings and bright neon lights, a tall blue-lit tower visible in the distance.

Sunset view of Sydney Harbour: the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the background over calm water, framed by green foliage on the sides.

City street at dusk with light trails from moving cars and a lit Tokyo Tower in the distance.

Bustling pedestrian street in a historic Chinese town, with red lanterns hanging between wooden shops.

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Glass-enclosed server rack in a dark lab with glowing fiber cables streaming out across the floor

Gavel resting on a black law book with the Indian flag beside it on a wooden desk, symbolizing Indian law and justice.

Blue Indian Railways locomotive leads a long freight train along a single-track through dry, rural fields at sunset with an orange sky.

Wide city skyline with tall glass skyscrapers, blue sky, and a tree-lined plaza in the foreground. Central modern buildings flank a historic red-roofed structure to the right.

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RGA signs block coinsurance deals with Sumitomo Life and Anshin Life in Japan

Sumitomo Life turns to reinsurance for the first time as insurers across Asia move in-force blocks off their books.

APRA finalises reinsurance reforms easing access to alternative risk-transfer solutions

The reforms, set to take effect from 1 January 2027, expand the role of Appointed Actuaries and streamline regulatory approvals.

Japan's FSA finalises tighter rules on asset-intensive reinsurance

Insurers face broader expectations on stress testing, collateral quality, recapture planning and reinsurer due diligence under the revised guidelines, which apply from July 1.

Australia proposes sweeping overhaul of private health insurance system

A new consultation outlines changes to how PHI products are structured and funded, with feedback invited before reforms are finalised.

Insurers compete on execution over strategy as AI-powered challengers catch up

Executives at ITC Asia in Singapore said product cycles of 12 to 18 months are becoming unviable as challengers close capability gaps in months.

APAC insurers see AI efficiency gains, but ROI remains hard to prove

AI’s payback period may be longer than expected, as costs, timelines and benefits remain difficult to separate and quantify, industry experts said at ITC Asia.

China claims pressure eases further in April as premium growth moderates

Life claims declined sharply by more than 12%, while non-life payouts stabilised, highlighting diverging underwriting conditions across segments.

Participating policies gain favour among Chinese P&C insurers as low-yield pressures mount

Insurers across China, Taiwan and South Korea are bolstering capital buffers and refining investment strategies as low rates and volatility strain traditional earnings models.

India's GI premiums grow 9% in May as fire weakness persists

A fifth straight decline in fire premiums was offset by growth in health and motor, alongside sharp gains in aviation, marine and personal accident.

Quantum computing could unlock APAC pricing advantage

Actuaries are examining how quantum error correction breakthroughs could sharpen nat cat models and parametric pricing, though the technology would bring new risks.

Korea non-life insurers post 4.9% Q1 premium growth, but profits fall on higher claims, weaker investments

Claims and investment pressure dragged net income down 10.7% year-on-year, even as long-term non-life premiums held firm and GI growth accelerated.

India’s first comprehensive MGA rulebook arrives in GIFT City

The dedicated framework allows MGAs to design products and run the policy lifecycle, but restricts them from entering reinsurance or syndicate structures.

India's health insurers power 8.7% May premium growth amid rising healthcare costs

Standalone health premiums surged 31.7%, outpacing the broader market as rising medical costs and expanding healthcare coverage continued to drive demand

Pacific Life Re inks third asset-intensive reinsurance deal with Tokio Marine & Nichido Life

Third transaction with Japanese life insurer underscores Pacific Life Re’s growing role in the country’s AIR market.

GIFT City insurance GWP doubles in FY2026 as reinsurers expand fourfold

Health and personal accident drove premium growth, as (re)insurers overtook intermediaries as the main source of premiums transacted in the hub.

AXA bets on one-stop-shop model, specialty expertise to crack Asia's HNW insurance market

AXA Global Private is banking on its group-wide specialty capabilities to carve out a niche in a segment where rival carriers are already fiercely competing for wallet share.

Resolution Life signs three new asset-intensive reinsurance deals across Hong Kong, Japan

Reinsurer has completed two in-force reinsurance deals covering participating whole-of-life portfolios in Hong Kong and one reinsurance agreement in Japan.

Softbank's PayPay to acquire 70% stake in T&D Financial Life for US$840m

The transaction would give PayPay a direct foothold in Japan’s life sector and create new cross-selling options with its existing customer base.

OIC cuts Thai insurance growth outlook as Middle East conflict raises costs

The regulator pointed to higher claims costs, tighter reinsurance appetite and pressure on trade-exposed lines as external volatility feeds into the sector.

Thailand's OIC puts insurers at centre of resilience push as risks and costs rise

The regulator is reshaping the insurance market through a five-year plan that extends regulatory reach to entire corporate groups, tightens capital standards, and pushes insurers to close the country's...