insurance Archives | Be Korea-savvy
Insurance Policy Retention Rates Lag Behind Global Peers, Watchdog Warns

Insurance Policy Retention Rates Lag Behind Global Peers, Watchdog Warns

SEOUL, April 23, (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly one-third of insurance policies in South Korea are canceled within two years, with long-term contract retention rates significantly trailing those of major global markets, according to a report released April 22, 2025, by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). The report, titled “2024 Insurance Sales Channel Performance and Supervision [...]

Insurance Companies See Growth in Exclusive Agents Despite Rise of Independent Agencies

Insurance Companies See Growth in Exclusive Agents Despite Rise of Independent Agencies

SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The number of exclusive insurance agents in South Korea has increased despite the growing influence of independent insurance agencies (GAs) in the market, according to industry data released on February 6. Unlike GA agents who sell products from multiple insurers, exclusive agents are directly employed by insurance companies and sell [...]

South Korea’s Employment Growth Slows to 46-Month Low Amid Broader Economic Challenges

South Korea’s Employment Growth Slows to 46-Month Low Amid Broader Economic Challenges

SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) – The growth in South Korea’s employment insurance registrations reached its lowest point in nearly four years, highlighting a slowdown in the labor market as the country faces a range of economic headwinds.  According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of regular employment insurance subscribers increased by [...]

Rising Luxury Car Ownership Drives Insurance Premiums Higher Despite Fewer Accidents

Rising Luxury Car Ownership Drives Insurance Premiums Higher Despite Fewer Accidents

SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – Following the devastating Mercedes-Benz EQE fire in an Incheon apartment complex parking garage last August, which damaged approximately 800 vehicles, concerns about rising auto insurance premiums have become reality, even as traffic accidents and fatalities decline. According to the Korea Automobile Citizens’ Association, traffic fatalities have dropped by half, from [...]

New ‘Miracle’ Weight Loss Drug Raises Insurance Coverage Questions

New ‘Miracle’ Weight Loss Drug Raises Insurance Coverage Questions

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea prepares for the launch of Wegovy, a highly anticipated weight loss medication, next month, questions are arising about its coverage under private health insurance plans.  Wegovy, produced by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and famously touted by Tesla CEO Elon Musk as his weight management secret, is [...]

Huge Price Gaps Persist in South Korean Healthcare, Study Finds

Huge Price Gaps Persist in South Korean Healthcare, Study Finds

SEOUL, Sept. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent government study has revealed startling disparities in the cost of medical procedures across South Korea, with some treatments varying in price by as much as 23 times between different healthcare providers.  The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) announced on [...]

Surge in Older Applicants for Pre-Existing Condition Health Insurance

Surge in Older Applicants for Pre-Existing Condition Health Insurance

SEOUL, Jul. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – In a surprising trend, half of the recent applicants for health insurance policies designed for individuals with pre-existing conditions are in their 60s, according to a recent analysis. This demographic, which has historically faced challenges in obtaining coverage, is emerging as a significant force in the insurance market, coinciding with [...]

Probe Finds Large-scale Insurance Fraud at Hospital

Probe Finds Large-scale Insurance Fraud at Hospital

SEOUL, Jul. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — A probe has found large-scale insurance fraud at a traditional medicine hospital involving more than 100 people, the financial regulator said Tuesday. Around 100 “fake” patients at the hospital are suspected of having made false insurance claims worth about 100 billion won (US$72.3 million), according to the Financial Supervisory [...]

High Interest Rates Lead to Surge in Cancellations of Low-Yield Insurance Policies

High Interest Rates Lead to Surge in Cancellations of Low-Yield Insurance Policies

SEOUL, Apr. 24 (Korea Bizwire) – The persistently high interest rate environment in South Korea has triggered a wave of cancellations for low-yielding savings-type insurance policies, driving down the two-year policy retention rate at insurers to a mere 65% last year, according to data released on April 23.  The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the government’s financial [...]

Surge in Pet Insurance Contracts Reflects Growing Number of Pet-Owning Households in South Korea

Surge in Pet Insurance Contracts Reflects Growing Number of Pet-Owning Households in South Korea

SEOUL, Mar. 7 (Korea Bizwire) – The trend of pet ownership in South Korea has surged to new heights, with a quarter of all households now boasting furry friends. This boom in pet adoption has had a remarkable ripple effect on the pet insurance industry, witnessing a substantial 50% increase in policies over the past year.  [...]