In Focus by The Hindu Insurance Bill 2025: What’s in it for policyholders?
Jan 9, 2026
Shilpa Arora, Co-founder and COO of Insurance Samadhan, sheds light on the recently passed Insurance Bill 2025, a potential game changer for policyholders. She discusses how 100% FDI could enhance affordability and distribution, while also emphasizing the strengthening of the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India. The conversation reveals persistent issues like claim rejections and mis-selling, and highlights the need for better oversight and transparency in the claims process. Arora argues that real consumer benefits hinge on effective implementation of the new regulations.
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High-Profile Mis‑selling Case Sparked A Startup
- Shilpa Arora described a case where a crime-branch officer's father was sold 38 policies across companies and lost ₹60 lakh.
- It took six months with Insurance Samadhan to recover the money, which inspired the platform's founding.
FDI Increases Follow Regulator Maturation
- FDI caps were raised gradually from 26% to 49%, then 74%, and now to 100% as the market and regulator matured.
- Shilpa argues 100% FDI aims to bring capital, distribution and product expertise to reach 'insurance for all' by 2047.
Capital Helps, But Regulator And Hospitals Matter
- Foreign capital can lower operating costs via technology-led underwriting and claims processing.
- But improving claims also requires strong regulation and controls on hospital billing and fraud.