Two-Stage Data Envelopment Analysis Efficiency of Indian General Insurance Companies

The present study compares efficiency-related performance of 15 Indian general insurance companies using a two-stage efficiency evaluation model. Efficiency evaluation has been made for the span 2009–2010 to 2017–2018 using network DEA (data envelopment analysis). The results indicate that the in-sample private sector general insurance companies outcompeted the public sector insurers with regard to first-stage activity (premium mobilization), while the reverse was observed in terms of the second-stage activity (asset management and provision of claim benefits). The study also carried out regression of efficiency scores on several contextual variables. The results indicate that ownership is an influential contextual variable in both stages of productivity while solvency significantly impacts efficiency in the second stage.