Chennai, July 10 (TIWN) A total 12 applications for starting an insurance company-non-life/life/reinsurance are under various stages of processing at Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), it is learnt.

Industry officials told IANS that the IRDAI has not licensed any new insurer during the past couple of years.

And that situation is expected to change in the near future with some of the applications are in advanced stages of processing at IRDAI.

Out of the 12 applications with IRDAI, eight are for starting a general insurance company including agriculture insurance, three for life insurance and one reinsurance company.

Interestingly Kamesh Goyal, and Prem Watsa (Founder and Chairman of FairFax Financial Holdings, Canada) the promoters of Go Digit General Insurance Company Ltd are venturing into the life and reinsurance segment.

Referring to IRDAI Chairman Debasish Panda's view of every Indian becoming an insurance policyholder Goyal, Chairman, Go Digit General Insurance, had told IANS: 'I find the vision simple and bold at the same time. We have seen IRDAI move in this direction at breakneck speed in the last three months. Both Prem Watsa (Founder and Chairman of FairFax Financial Holdings, Canada) and I are excited with this vision and are exploring setting up both an Indian reinsurance company and a life insurance company.'