Generali eyes bigger slice of fast-growing Indian insurance market

Europe's third-largest and Italy's biggest insurer  Generali has acquired a majority stake in its life and property/casualty (P&C) joint venture in India as it looks to expand its presence in fast-growing markets.

Generali now owns the majority shareholding in Future Generali India Insurance Company (FGII) and Future Generali India Life Insurance Company (FGIL).

The deal follows an announcement in 2021 by the Indian Government to increase the Foreign Direct Investment limit in the insurance sector from 49% to 74%.

In the P&C business, Generali has agreed to acquire from Future Enterprises 25% of the shares of FGII for a consideration of around € 145 million. After closing, it will hold a stake of around 74%. FGII is among the fastest growing general insurance companies in the market with a diversified product and distributor portfolio; as of March 2021 (fiscal year end for Indian insurance companies), it reported around € 450 million of premiums.

In the life business, an agreement has been signed to acquire the entire stake (around 16%) held by Industrial Investment Trust Limited (IITL) in FGIL for a consideration of around €26 million. FGIL reported around € 150 million of gross written premiums as of March 2021.

Additionally, Generali will subscribe to a preferential allotment of shares in FGIL (around €21 million). As a result, following the closing of the transaction and completion of the preferential allotment, Generali will hold a stake of around 68% in FGIL, which may increase further to 71% by the end of 2022, following further preferential allotment of

shares.

Generali is the first player among international insurers to step-up to a majority stake in both its Indian insurance Joint Venture companies since the new foreign ownership cap came into effect.

Jaime Anchústegui Melgarejo (pictured), CEO international at Generali Group, said: “Increasing Generali’s stake in our Indian Life and P&C insurance businesses represents a further step ahead in our growth journey in this high potential market. With an expected double-digit annual growth rate, India’s insurance market offers considerable opportunities, and we look forward to deepening our presence in this geography, becoming Lifetime Partners to an increasing share of Indian customers.”

Rob Leonardi, regional officer of Generali Asia, said: “We’re excited that we are now able to consolidate our position in our Life and P&C insurance businesses, as it has always been our intention to increase our presence in India. Once the transactions are completed, we plan to do so in a way that will create more value for our more than 4 million customers, agents, partners and distributors.”

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