Insurance premiums rise 10.5% in Q1

MANILA, Philippines — Insurers generated 10.5 percent more premiums in the first quarter as both the life and non-life sectors enjoyed higher collections before the imposition of community quarantine, the Insurance Commission (IC) reported yesterday. Premiums generated by the local insurance industry rose to P78.15 billion in the first three months from P70.71 billion in […]
IC issues rules to protect PWDs from discrimination

MANILA, Philippines — The Insurance Commission (IC) has instructed all regulated entities selling various insurance products not to discriminate against persons with disabilities (PWDs). Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa issued circular 2020-86, laying down the guidelines to protect PWDs from any form of discrimination in the insurance industry. Funa said Sections 35 and 36 of Republic […]
60-day debt moratorium backed

MANILA, Philippines — Business groups lauded the compromise both houses of Congress reached on the moratorium on debt payments to ease the difficulties of Filipinos during the COVID-19 quarantine in many parts of the country. Francis Lim, president of the influential Management Association of the Philiplines (MAP), said over the weekend that the 60-day freeze […]
IC sees ‘financial danger’ in 1-yr freeze in payments

The Insurance Commission (IC) thumbed down the proposed yearlong grace period on life insurance and pre-need premium payments under the Bayanihan 2 bill, saying this may spell “financial danger to life insurance and pre-need companies.” In a letter dated August 12 addressed to members of the Bicameral Conference Committee of Congress, IC Commissioner Dennis B. […]
Covid-19 insurance claims hit P326.95 million

Total Covid-19 related claims paid by the insurance industry amounted to P326.95 million, with medical benefits comprising the bulk of the amount at P258.8 million, according to results of a survey by the Insurance Commission (IC). The survey was conducted from April 16 to May 8 across four insurance s ectors: life insurance industry, non-life […]
Growth expected, but challenges ahead

Asia Insurance Review, Country Profile-Philippines, Feb 2020
Microinsurance premiums, coverage expand in 2019

PERSONS COVERED and premiums of the microinsurance industry increased in 2019, data from the Insurance Commission (IC) showed. The IC said on Tuesday unaudited reports submitted by the companies showed premiums produced by the microinsurance sector hit P9.12 billion last year, up from the P8.14 billion in 2018. Total individuals covered also rose 16{a20c0f6131f19ee46edebaa430c8602c2125b89207ecd0ebdc894e5bda57d350} to […]
Insurers’ premium income rises

THE INSURANCE industry’s premium income grew in 2019 as all sectors reported increases in premiums written, according to the Insurance Commission (IC). IC documents showed the industry’s overall premium income increased 4.99{a20c0f6131f19ee46edebaa430c8602c2125b89207ecd0ebdc894e5bda57d350} to P304.639 billion in 2019 from P290.151 billion in 2018, based on the unaudited financial reports submitted by life and nonlife insurance […]
Life sector spurs 20% growth in insurance industry’s 2019 income

THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY’S total net income booked double-digit growth in 2019 buoyed by a spike in the life insurance sector’s net profit. In a statement on Tuesday, Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa said net income of the insurance industry jumped 20.38% to P45.12 billion last year from P37.48 billion in 2018. Mr. Funa said the […]
IC outlines regulatory relief for insurers

THE Insurance Commission (IC) eased rules on insurance firms’ quarterly compliance with the minimum net worth requirement and also announced other relief measures to help companies stay afloat amid the coronavirus crisis. The IC issued Circular Letter No. 2020-60 on Friday relieving insurance companies from quarterly compliance with the P900 million minimum net worth requirement. […]