India's LIC Ranks Third Globally in Insurance Brand Strength
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has been ranked third among the world's strongest insurance brands, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) rating of 88 out of 100, as per the Brand Finance Insurance 100 report for 2025.
PZU of Poland led the table with a BSI score of 94.4, followed in second position by China Life Insurance's score of 93.5. On the basis of total brand value, LIC ranked 12th among the world's top brands, while SBI Life ranked 76th, being the sole two Indian insurers to feature in the top 100.
The Brand Finance report noted that the leading 100 insurance brands saw their brand value grow by 9 per cent, led by improved underwriting performance, higher investment income, higher interest rates, and improved profitability. The market capitalisation of top insurance brands jumped as the demand for insurance products increased across industries. Moreover, economic recovery, upbeat market sentiment, strategic mergers, and technological advancements drove industry growth.
On the financial side, LIC posted a 17 per cent year-on-year growth in standalone net profit for the December quarter at Rs 11,056.47 crore, from Rs 9,444.42 crore in the corresponding period last year. The growth was underpinned by a decline in management costs, particularly employee expenses. On a consolidated basis, LIC's net profit increased by 16 per cent to Rs 11,009 crore, from Rs 9,469 crore a year ago. Staff salaries and welfare spending fell by 30 per cent to Rs 14,416 crore, which resulted in the expense ratio declining by 231 bps to 12.97 per cent from 15.28 per cent.
India's insurance industry got a major boost with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposing a rise in the FDI cap to 100 per cent from the current 74 per cent in the Budget for 2025-26. The higher FDI cap will be applicable on those companies which invest the entire premium in India, with existing guardrails and conditionalities to be reviewed and streamlined to increase foreign investment.
With its stellar financial performance and top global ranking, LIC continues to cement its leadership role in the insurance industry, fueling growth and generating confidence for India's burgeoning insurance sector.
