Asia Pacific Insurance Regulation

Features and key stories

Steadfast inks A$7.7bn takeover deal with Amwins-Dragoneer-KKR consortium

MAS sign on a tan granite building with palm tree reflections and flagpoles.

Green double‑decker tram with American Express branding on a busy Chinatown street, surrounded by red storefront signs and a black car ahead.

Illustration of a mountain with a flag for 2026 and a path leading to a summit with a flag for 2028.

Aerial view of a modern city with a twin-towered building by the water and a circular stadium in the foreground, under a clear blue sky.

Aerial view of Hong Kong's skyline with tall glass skyscrapers beside Victoria Harbour and hills 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.

chinas-insurance-sector-posts-6-2-premium-growth-in-q1-2026

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

Man in a navy suit and pink tie giving a speech at a blue podium labeled Insurance Authority.

japans-paypay-to-acquire-70-2-stake-in-td-financial-life-for-us840-2m

oic-cuts-thai-insurance-growth-outlook-as-middle-east-conflict-raises-costs

thailands-oic-puts-insurers-at-centre-of-resilience-push-as-risks-and-costs-rise

chinas-nfra-issues-new-regulatory-framework-for-insurance-asset-management-firms

a-line-in-the-strand-what-australias-genetic-testing-ban-means-for-the-life-insurance-industry

tasmania-pivots-tasinsure-from-state-insurer-to-government-owned-not-for-profit-authority

private-credit-gains-ground-with-apac-insurers-as-rbc-reshapes-insurer-demand

hong-kong-ia-finalises-rbc-amendments-to-incentivise-infrastructure-investment

Steadfast inks A$7.7bn takeover deal with Amwins-Dragoneer-KKR consortium

The parties aim to complete the A$7.7bn transaction by December, subject to shareholder, court and regulatory approvals.

MAS eyes AIR guidance, further RBC 2 changes by year-end

RBC 2 adjustments, reinsurance guidance, and stress-testing developments form part of a broader regulatory response to evolving risks.

Hong Kong insurers look for clearer risk rules, data sharing as ride-hailing regime nears

Licences are due to be issued from November, and HKFI says access to operational data is critical for insurers to assess the new risk and develop appropriate pricing models.

Indonesian insurers on track for end-2026 capital rules, but 2028 poses bigger test

More than 80% of insurers have already met OJK's 2026 requirements, but experts say capital alone will not fix weak fundamentals as tougher 2028 rules loom.

China publishes new measures to accelerate build-out of Shanghai reinsurance centre

The eight-point plan seeks to lift trading volumes, strengthen reinsurers' capital, and bring more international capacity into China's market.

Hong Kong captive insurer count rises to nine with two new approvals

New captives from the hospitality and logistics sectors broaden participation by both Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese corporates.

MAS targets captive and ILS market growth with new corporate structure

Industry participants say the proposed framework, set to launch by 2028, could reduce costs, improve operational efficiency and support broader adoption of captives and insurance-linked securities.

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.

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 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.

Hong Kong insurers deepen AI push as regulator adds three to cohort programme

The AI Cohort Symposium 2026 saw first-batch participants report gains across underwriting, claims and customer service, while newcomers Manulife, BOC Life and China Life unveiled new plans.

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...

China issues new regulatory framework for insurance asset management

NFRA has set out requirements across four key pillars, while stressing firms must pursue high-quality development and compete in an orderly way to prevent market chaos.

A line in the strand: What Australia's genetic testing ban means for the life insurance industry

A total ban on genetic discrimination in life insurance triggers a major compliance overhaul aimed at boosting public health outcomes

Tasmania pivots TasInsure from state insurer to government-owned authority

The reworked model will now focus on market interventions for hard-to-insure risks, rather than competing directly with insurers.

Private credit gains ground with APAC insurers as RBC reshapes demand

Allocations remain resilient as insurers prioritise liability matching and capital efficiency.

Hong Kong IA finalises RBC amendments to incentivise infrastructure investment

Following feedback from 42 respondents, the Insurance Authority has finalised amendments to the RBC regime, with additional guidance to be issued ahead of implementation.