NEW DELHI: The general insurance industry grew by about 12% during January with robust performance by private players like Reliance General and Cholamandalam. The 16 non-tile insurers collected Rs 2,520 crore premiums in January 2008 against Rs 2,253 crore in the same month last year. During the month, nine private sector general insurance companies garnered Rs 990 crore against Rs 811 crore in the same month a year ago. Reliance General increased its premium by 47.5% to Rs 149 crore, Cholamandalam's premium grew by 65% to Rs 48 crore in January. The largest player in the segment, ICICI Lombard, collected Rs 278 crore against Rs 275 crore. At the same time, four public sector non-life insurance companies collected Rs 1,467 crore against Es 1,391 crore in the corresponding month a year ago.