India is considering a new digital infrastructure that could bring a customer’s insurance policies together on a single platform, making it easier to track coverage, manage policy details and identify insurance benefits. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has proposed the creation of a Public Insurance Registry (PIR) as part of efforts to make the country’s insurance sector more connected, transparent and customer-friendly.
The proposed registry would function as a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the insurance industry. The concept draws on India’s experience with digital systems used in other sectors, including UPI, DigiLocker, Aadhaar-linked services and Co-WIN. The aim is to reduce the fragmentation of insurance-related information and create a common digital framework through which customers and other authorised stakeholders can access relevant information, subject to consent and applicable safeguards.
Multiple policies could be viewed in one place
At present, an individual may hold a life insurance policy with one insurer, health insurance with another and motor insurance through a different company or intermediary. Keeping track of all these policies can therefore require customers to deal with several separate systems.
Important details, such as whether a policy is active, when the next premium is due, who has been named as nominee and the overall level of insurance protection available, may be spread across different records.
Under the proposed PIR, customers could be able to view a consolidated picture of their insurance portfolio with their consent. Such an arrangement could make it easier to keep track of multiple policies and understand the extent of protection available across different types of insurance.
Potential help for nominees and families
One of the significant proposed benefits is the possibility of helping families identify insurance policies that may otherwise remain unknown or unclaimed.
After the death of a policyholder, family members may not always know about every insurance policy held by the individual. In some cases, they may also lack the relevant policy number or documentation. This can make it difficult for eligible beneficiaries to identify and claim insurance proceeds.
Under the proposed framework, once a death claim is processed, information could be shared with the registry with the claimant’s consent. The system could then help identify other insurance policies held by the deceased. Relevant insurers could subsequently be alerted to the possibility of additional claims.
The proposal could therefore provide another route for locating unclaimed insurance money, including in situations where family members do not have the policy number but possess other identifying information.
Repeated KYC requirements could be reduced
Customers purchasing policies from several insurers often have to provide similar Know Your Customer (KYC) information repeatedly. The proposed registry could allow verified customer information to be reused, subject to the individual’s consent and the applicable rules.
This could reduce duplication when a customer purchases another policy from a different insurer. The same principle could potentially be applied to updates involving phone numbers, email addresses, residential addresses, bank account details and nominee information.
However, such a system would require clear consent mechanisms. Customers would need to know which information is being changed, which policies it applies to and which insurers are authorised to receive or use the updated details.
Comparing insurance products could become easier
The proposed PIR could also improve the way customers compare insurance products. The plan envisages presenting information through common parameters such as coverage, premiums, benefits, exclusions and waiting periods.
This could make it easier for consumers to compare products on a more consistent basis rather than relying solely on information supplied separately by individual insurers or intermediaries.
The proposal also considers presenting information in languages preferred by customers. Insurance policies often contain technical terms and detailed conditions, which can be difficult for consumers to understand. Making key information available in familiar languages could help customers assess products according to their individual needs.
Complaints could be brought under a more integrated system
The proposed infrastructure could also play a role in streamlining insurance grievance management. Customers may be able to raise complaints through digital channels, including mobile applications and web-based services, while receiving assistance in their preferred language.
Another proposed feature is a ‘Know Your Agent’ facility. It could allow customers to obtain information about insurance agents or intermediaries, including aspects of their service record, customer complaints and service quality.
Such information could give consumers greater visibility when dealing with an intermediary before purchasing an insurance product.
Registry is still at the proposal stage
The Public Insurance Registry has not yet been launched. IRDAI has issued a consultation paper seeking views from relevant stakeholders on the proposed framework. The consultation period is scheduled to run until 30 September 2026, after which the regulator will review the feedback before deciding on the next steps.
Issues including data security, customer privacy, consumer protection, market efficiency and long-term financial sustainability will be important considerations before the system is finalised.
If implemented, the PIR could significantly change how insurance information is managed in India. Customers could gain a consolidated view of policies held with different insurers, while families may have a better chance of identifying unknown insurance benefits after a policyholder’s death. Reducing repetitive KYC procedures and improving access to comparable product information could also simplify several parts of the insurance journey.
The initiative, however, will involve substantial implementation challenges. Bringing older insurance records into a common digital framework, ensuring that information from different insurers remains accurate and compatible, and protecting large volumes of sensitive customer data will require strong safeguards.
The eventual effectiveness of the Public Insurance Registry will therefore depend not only on the technology behind it, but also on clear consent rules, reliable data management, privacy protections and effective oversight.
