Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Reports Mixed Q2 FY26 Results Amid Challenges
Cholamandalam MS General Insurance reported a gross direct premium of INR 1,835.00 crores for Q2 FY26 and INR 3,647.00 crores for H1 FY26. The loss of crop insurance business due to retender impacted quarterly GDPI by INR 323.00 crores. H1 FY26 saw a combined ratio of 115.30%, claims ratio of 81.50%, and profit before tax of INR 266.00 crores. The company maintained a 5.30% market share in motor insurance. Challenges include higher claims ratios and conservative motor third-party reserving. The investment corpus reached INR 18,380.00 crores with mark-to-market gains of INR 500.00 crores. Management expects improvements in the combined ratio in H2 FY26 and targets a long-term ROE of 16-18%.

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Cholamandalam Financial Holdings , through its subsidiary Cholamandalam MS General Insurance, has reported a mixed set of results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, facing challenges in the insurance sector while maintaining a focus on prudent financial management.
Financial Performance
The company recorded a gross direct premium of INR 1,835.00 crores for Q2 FY26 and INR 3,647.00 crores for H1 FY26. However, the loss of crop insurance business due to retender impacted the quarterly GDPI by INR 323.00 crores.
Key financial highlights for H1 FY26 include:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross Written Premium | INR 4,217.00 crores |
| Combined Ratio | 115.30% |
| Claims Ratio | 81.50% |
| Expense Ratio | 30.50% |
| Profit Before Tax (PBT) | INR 266.00 crores |
| Return on Equity (ROE) | 6.20% (not annualized) |
| Solvency Ratio | 2.11x |
Business Segments and Market Share
In the motor insurance segment, Cholamandalam MS maintained a market share of 5.30%. The composition of motor business was:
- Cars: 52%
- Commercial vehicles: 37%
- Two-wheelers: 12%
The company secured about 23% of its total motor premium from new vehicles.
Challenges and Strategic Moves
Claims Ratio: The claims ratio for Q2 and H1 at 81.90% and 81.50% respectively, were higher than the previous year's levels, reflecting increased competitive intensity in the industry.
Motor Third-Party Reserving: The company has adopted a conservative approach in motor third-party reserving, with provisioning levels 10% higher than many peers. This prudent stance has impacted the combined ratio by approximately 3%.
Investment Portfolio: The investment corpus reached INR 18,380.00 crores, with mark-to-market gains of INR 500.00 crores. The company has shifted its investment strategy towards corporate bonds to improve yield while maintaining a focus on high-rated securities.
Reinsurance Strategy: Cholamandalam MS has increased its reinsurance accepted business across multiple lines, including property, crop, motor, and group health. This move is expected to be ROE neutral while helping to manage the expense ratio.
Future Outlook
Management expects improvements in the combined ratio in the second half of FY26, targeting a reduction of 5 percentage points in the motor OD loss ratio. The company remains committed to achieving its long-term ROE target of 16-18%.
The potential for motor third-party premium increases in the upcoming fiscal year could provide relief to the industry, although timing remains uncertain.
Corporate Actions
Cholamandalam Financial Holdings has submitted applications to stock exchanges seeking reclassification of Yanmar Coromandel Agrisolutions from the promoter group to public shareholder category, indicating potential changes in the company's ownership structure.
As the insurance sector navigates through competitive pressures and regulatory changes, Cholamandalam MS General Insurance's focus on prudent reserving and strategic portfolio management will be crucial in maintaining its market position and improving profitability in the coming quarters.
Historical Stock Returns for Cholamandalam Financial Holdings
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +0.48% | +4.90% | +7.88% | +7.02% | +25.59% | +358.00% |




































