China Galaxy Securities released a research report stating that 2026, as the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan," brings dual opportunities for the insurance industry under national policy guidance, with improvements on the asset side and transformation on the liability side.
On the asset side, a policy package is driving diversified optimization of insurers' asset allocation. The prospect of a "healthy bull market" in equities should ease pressure on asset returns.
On the liability side, the long-term compound interest locking feature of insurance products remains attractive in a low-rate environment. The "deposit migration" effect continues to unlock liability-side potential. While premium income faces short-term pressure, demand resilience persists, and the firm is optimistic about valuation recovery in the insurance sector.
Industry premium growth moderates; property insurance decline narrows slightly
In the first half of 2026, the insurance industry generated total original premium income of RMB 3.86 trillion, up 3.25% year-on-year, with growth narrowing 1.02 percentage points (pp) from the 4.27% recorded in the January-May period.
For life insurance, premiums totaled RMB 3.09 trillion in 1H26, up 4.32% YoY, narrowing 1.24pp from the 5.56% growth in the first five months. Within that, life insurance premiums reached RMB 2.39 trillion, up 4.65% YoY, narrowing 1.50pp from 6.16% growth in Jan-May. Health insurance premiums stood at RMB 643.8 billion, up 3.45% YoY, narrowing 0.45pp from 3.91% growth. Accident insurance premiums totaled RMB 50.5 billion, down 0.33% YoY, with the decline expanding 0.02pp from -0.30% in Jan-May.
For property insurance, premiums in 1H26 reached RMB 767.9 billion, down 0.84% YoY, with the decline narrowing 0.04pp from -0.89% in Jan-May. Auto insurance premiums amounted to RMB 450.4 billion, down 0.02% YoY, narrowing 0.21pp from -0.24% in the first five months. Non-auto insurance premiums totaled RMB 317.5 billion, down 1.98% YoY, with the decline expanding 0.10pp from -1.89% in Jan-May.
Monthly premium decline narrows in June; auto insurance growth rebounds
In June 2026, the industry recorded original premium income of RMB 665.5 billion, down 1.38% YoY, as the high-base effect from last year's "pre-sale suspension" sales campaign persisted.
For life insurance, premiums totaled RMB 505.1 billion in June, down 1.60% YoY. Within that, life insurance premiums reached RMB 405.2 billion, down 2.15% YoY. Health insurance premiums were RMB 91.6 billion, up 0.80% YoY. Accident insurance premiums were RMB 8.3 billion, down 0.44% YoY.
For property insurance, premiums in June stood at RMB 160.4 billion, down 0.68% YoY. Auto insurance premiums were RMB 79.3 billion, up 0.99% YoY. Non-auto insurance premiums reached RMB 81.1 billion, down 2.26% YoY.
Industry asset base continues to expand; net assets decline slightly
As of end-June 2026, total assets of the insurance industry stood at RMB 43.86 trillion, up 11.82% YoY and 1.45% month-on-month. Net assets totaled RMB 4.07 trillion, up 8.43% YoY but down 1.33% MoM.
Life insurance companies held total assets of RMB 38.66 trillion, up 12.57% YoY, accounting for 88.14% of the industry total. Property insurers held RMB 3.38 trillion, up 6.37% YoY, accounting for 7.71%. Reinsurers held RMB 0.88 trillion, up 2.13% YoY, accounting for 2.00%. Insurance asset management companies held RMB 0.15 trillion, up 11.49% YoY, accounting for 0.34%.
Risk warnings
Risks include a worse-than-expected macroeconomic environment, continued decline in long-end interest rates, and equity market volatility.
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