Asian insurance industry at crossroads, says Mckinsey report
November 10, 2023879 views0 comments
Cynthia Ezekwe
The insurance industry in Asia is at a crossroads, according to McKinsey & Co. In its Global Insurance Report 2023, the firm highlighted that while the industry is struggling with slow premium growth and uneven profitability, it is also witnessing a surge in innovation in response to emerging risks and rapid urbanisation.
The report noted that despite the increasing focus of global insurers on Asia, penetration rates of P&C insurance remain stagnant at around 1 to 2 percent of GDP. This indicates that there is still much untapped potential for insurers to increase their business in the region. However, insurers face various challenges, such as slow premium growth and uneven profitability.
According to McKinsey, the life insurance sector in Asia has experienced a slowdown in growth, which has impacted the trajectory of the industry. This has been compounded by several challenges, such as deteriorating profitability, an increase in catastrophe claims, and the emergence of new risks such as cyberattacks and electric vehicles.
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Insurers are adapting their strategies to changing market dynamics, which differ between developed and emerging markets in Asia. Despite these challenges, the growing middle class, technological advancements, and changing health and retirement sectors present immense opportunities to drive growth and tap into new markets.
Against this backdrop, McKinsey stated that insurers can navigate the evolving Asian insurance market by embracing innovation, improving efficiency, and addressing emerging challenges. It also recommended a dual-track approach where insurers can proactively engage with emerging opportunities and risks while optimising their core operations for efficiency and profitability.
“To navigate the new and optimize the core, P&C insurers must adopt a dual-track approach. They must proactively engage with emerging opportunities and risks while optimizing core operations for efficiency and profitability,’’ the report suggested.