SBI General, one of India's largest non-life insurance providers, has announced a technical partnership with Google Pay that will allow users to purchase SBI General health insurance swiftly and conveniently using the Google Pay app. This aligns with SBI General's goal of increasing the distribution of non-life insurance products through digital channels.

Only a month ago did CIO Insider report that SBI launched a virtual card to handle money matters for the Indian Navy in a secure manner. The bank's recently launched Nav e-Cash card is a true testament to the Digital India initiative's objectives. The card's purpose is to ensure that the Indian Navy has access to tangible cash when on long-term missions. Given the internet connectivity challenges, as well as all of the risks and potential catastrophes that come with dealing with money on the high seas, this could appear to be a convenient answer.

Vice Admiral R Harikumar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and C S Setty, Managing Director (Retail & Digital Banking), SBI, were present during the launch.

What this card implies for the category of digital payments is undeniably significant, and it underlines SBI's commitment to the Indian government's vision of Digital India and a deliberate move away from cash. The unique construction of navy ships makes traditional payment methods difficult, especially when the ship is at sea and the internet is down. There will be no such problems with this card, and transactions will be simple. Why? As the card stations dual chip technology.

Due to the dual chip technology, this card can be used to make payments both online and offline. Aside from that, this card can be used as a regular debit card as well as a prepaid card. However, it should be noted that this is only possible in online form.

Payments can be made even while the card is not in use, thanks to the card's design. This will help to cut down on cash payments. This card can be used to make payments in many situations where there is no real-time internet connectivity, such as warships at sea or oil rigs far from the coast.

Back to its current collaboration with Google Pay, the partnership also marks the first time Google Pay has partnered with a domestic insurance firm, allowing customers to purchase health insurance while on the go at Google Pay Spot.

Users of Google Pay will be able to:

On Google PaySpot, users can purchase SBI General Health Insurance-Arogya Sanjeevani.

Arogya Sanjeevani is a standard health insurance policy that was created to provide standard coverage at cheap costs and to help increase the penetration of domestic health insurance.

Through Google Pay Spot, users can purchase both personal and family plans under the Arogya Sanjeevani policy.

“The pandemic has encouraged the use of digital platforms to suit a variety of demands and evolved expectations for financial solutions", says Prakash Chandra Kandpal, MD and CEO, SBI General Insurance.

“This partnership is just another effort to meet the rising demand for health insurance, which will lead to an increase in the number of people purchasing coverage. It allows SBI General to offer Arogya Sanjeevani, a typical health insurance plan, through the Google Pay platform at a low cost”, adds Kandpal.