HDFC closes acquisition of Apollo Munich Health Insurance for Rs 1,495.81 crore

"Subsequent to this approval (regulatory), Apollo Munich Health Insurance Co Ltd has been renamed as HDFC ERGO Health Insurance Ltd (HDFC ERGO Health) and will operate as a subsidiary of HDFC Ltd," HDFC said in a regulatory filing on Thursday.

The acquisition comes after approvals from the Competition Commission of India, the RBI and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.

Anuj Tyagi, executive director and chief business officer at HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company (HDFC ERGO General) has been appointed as the managing director and CEO of HDFC ERGO Health, subject to approval from Irdai.

HDFC ERGO Health and HDFC ERGO General will shortly apply to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for their merger, HDFC said. Post-merger, the resultant entity will be the second-largest private insurer in accident and health segment in the country, it said.

"We are committed to create value for all our stakeholders with the combined strength of the brand HDFC and expertise of Apollo Munich in health insurance," said HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh.

Shobana Kamineni, chairperson of Apollo Munich and vice-chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise exuded confidence that the company will become stronger under HDFC. Apollo Munich managing director Antony Jacob will move to Apollo Hospitals Group.

"The acquisition provides HDFC ERGO with the opportunity to grow by increasing its footprint and distribution network, in line with its strategic objective to be amongst the top private insurers in the industry.

"Policyholders and channel partners will benefit from enhanced product suites, touchpoints and technology innovations," said Markus Rieb, chairman, ERGO Group AG and board member of Munich Re.

HDFC stock settled at Rs 1,270.80 on the BSE, up 1.09 percent from the previous close.