News of insurance – Research conducted under the Research Division of the Nepal Insurance Authority encompasses all investigative work related to insurance as well as key areas such as risk and information technology. Research is vital for the overall development and understanding of the insurance sector. Without continuous research and data analysis, it is impossible to grasp the real state of the industry.

Innovation in insurance products also hinges on research. It helps evaluate the performance of existing products and identify the need for new ones in the evolving market. Research is essential to assess how insured individuals perceive insurance, and to explore what improvements or innovations are needed.

The Insurance Regulatory Management Information System (IRMIS) software is instrumental in data collection. Through this system, insurance companies submit relevant data, which is then compiled and analyzed by our Statistics Division. These analyses serve as the basis for further research initiatives.

In addition to internal assessments, the Authority is also planning to research public perception of insurance companies and the industry as a whole. Another key area of focus is risk. The Authority has issued Risk-Based Capital (RBC) guidelines—an innovative step not yet adopted even by neighboring India—implemented with support from the World Bank.

Research is also required to assess public awareness of insurance, how many people understand it, whether they purchase policies based on informed decisions, and whether they are satisfied with the service, particularly regarding timely claim settlements.

Information technology plays an increasingly vital role in strengthening the insurance sector. Understanding its impact and integration requires continuous investigation.

This year, the Research Division has also begun a focused study on gender participation in the insurance sector. Preliminary data indicates that in life insurance, the number of women is relatively high among both policyholders and employees. However, in the non-life insurance sector, female participation is comparatively low. In terms of employment, women are well represented at entry-level positions but their numbers decline significantly in senior management roles.