Go Digit founder-backed Valueattics becomes first private player to get reinsurer licence

17 Mar 2025, 03:41 PM

As of now, state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) is the only reinsurer in the country.

Team Head&Tale

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has granted regulatory approval to Go Digit founder and chairman Kamlesh Goyal-backed Valueattics Reinsurance Ltd to operate as a reinsurer. 

This makes Valueattics Reinsurance the first private sector company to receive the reinsurance licence. As of now, state-owned General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re) is the only reinsurer in the country.

The approval came during IRDAI's board meeting last week, which was Debasish Panda’s last meeting as IRDAI chairperson. “This marks a significant step in fostering competition within the reinsurance sector,” IRDAI said in a statement. 

"Approval was accorded to grant Certificate of Registration to Valueattics Reinsurance Ltd. It is the first reinsurer to be granted registration to carry out exclusively reinsurance business in the revamped regulatory landscape. It marks a significant step in fostering competition in the reinsurance sector,” the regulator said.

With 'R2' approval, Valueattics is one step closer to commencing reinsurance operations. A reinsurer offers insurance to other insurance companies. However, it can only start operations once it meets the requirement of bringing in the necessary initial capital.

Valueattics is expected to launch operations with an initial paid-up capital of Rs 210 crore, according to media reports. 

Valueattics Reinsurance is owned by Goyal-promoted Oben Ventures LLP, and FAL Corporation, backed by Watsa with Fairfax Financial Holdings.

With this development, Goyal and Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Financial Holdings (investor in both Valueattics and Go Digit) will become the first promoters in the country to hold licences for general insurance, life insurance and reinsurance businesses.  With this, the Digit group of companies aims to become a one-stop solution for all insurance needs.

Recently, Go Digit also invested Rs 30 crore in Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories for a 0.32% stake in the pharmaceutical major.

Founded in 2017 by Kamesh Goyal, Go Digit is a full-stack digital insurance company that offers a wide range of non-life insurance policies across sectors such as motor vehicle, health, travel, and property, among others.

Go Digit General Insurance reported a total income of Rs 2,175 crore for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024-25, compared to Rs 1,868.5 crore in the same period last year. The company’s profit after tax jumped to Rs 89 crore from Rs 28 crore in Q2 FY24.