Title: Opinion leaders for increasing the market for non-life insurance products in India

Authors: P.A. Ratna; Saloni Mehra

Addresses: Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Plot No. A 23, Shravan Sector, CIDCO, New Nashik 422008, India ' Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management, Plot No. A 23, Shravan Sector, CIDCO, New Nashik 422008, India

Abstract: An analysis of the non-life insurance industry in India showed that the insurance penetration and density were low. Results of this study showed low awareness and low level of purchase for a number of non-life insurance products. Review of literature on insurance indicated the need for creation of awareness for the concept of insurance among the masses, for an increase in the market for non-life insurance products. Awareness of the concept of insurance and its benefits can enable bringing about a favourable attitudinal change towards the purchase of insurance products. Opinion leaders were employed by marketers in the past to diffuse various ideas and commercial products. This study focuses on identifying opinion leaders for non-life insurance products who would act as channels to spread the concept of insurance among the masses. Results of the study indicate the demographic characteristics of opinion leaders for non-life insurance products and their attitude towards risk and fatalism.

Keywords: non-life insurance products; opinion leaders; fatalistic attitudes; risk attitudes; India; awareness creation; attitudinal change; demographics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIR.2015.067916

International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 2015 Vol.9 No.2, pp.210 - 228

Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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