Insurance protects tangible assets like people, homes, and vehicles as well as intangible liabilities. It began in London in the 16th century and came to India in the 1870s. There are general, life, health, and export credit insurance companies. Religious views on insurance vary, with some finding forms involving interest unacceptable but others finding insurance acceptable in moderation. While insurance is a large industry in India, relatively few people have health coverage, but this is expected to change as more private companies enter the sector. Major insurance companies in India include both public sector companies and large private insurers. Technological advances are pushing companies to sell policies online and retrain excess staff.