{"id":"f-e550251d2f-9bdff810-196d-5d3e-9f1b-95e79ccacf42","title":"Women’s health insurance uptake rises, but coverage gaps remain: Experts","description":"More women in India are becoming primary health insurance policyholders due to increased awareness and targeted products. However, experts call for better coverage to meet rising medical costs.","timestamp":1772875800,"category":"food_and_health","headline":"Women’s health insurance uptake rises, but coverage gaps remain: Experts","modifiedHeadline":"Women's Health Cover Rises, Gaps Remain","subCategories":["scid_835d4705"],"subcategoriesName":["Health care"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"7b48871c-c993-4956-b43d-6f46f8e1b036","bundleTitle":"Today In India","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"399","fcSummary":"women in india are increasingly taking charge of their health and financial security, moving beyond being nominees to owning insurance policies. rising awareness and tailored products are driving this shift, with a focus on comprehensive coverage including preventative care and chronic conditions. while participation is growing, experts emphasize the need for greater coverage adequacy and highlight gaps in protection for critical treatments and women-led businesses.","summary":"India: Women's health insurance uptake rises, but gaps remain. Experts urge better coverage amid rising medical costs & evolving needs.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/Personal_Finance/IN/en/cnbc-tv18/f-e550251d2f-9bdff810-196d-5d3e-9f1b-95e79ccacf42","sourceUrl":"https://www.cnbctv18.com/personal-finance/women-health-insurance-uptake-rises-but-coverage-gaps-remain-experts-ws-el-19863398.htm","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/3Ezldbbhj8t0.webp","content":"For too long, women in India have been the invisible anchors of family health and finance, often covered as “nominees” on someone else’s policy rather than owning insurance in their own right. That is beginning to change, as rising awareness, targeted products, and growing economic participation are driving women to take charge of their health and financial protection.\n
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\n “Women’s health needs are inherently different and require a nuanced approach. Modern health plans now cover daycare procedures, chronic conditions, preventive wellness, and maternal care ecosystems,” said Vivek Chaturvedi, CMO and Head of Direct Sales, Go Digit General Insurance.\n
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\n He added that comprehensive policies now provide 360-degree protection, moving beyond traditional hospitalisation coverage to support ongoing treatment journeys.\n
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Data from Care Health Insurance stresses the trend.

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Women proposers now make up 28–30% of individual health policies, with average sum insured ranging from

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₹10–15 lakh.

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Yet, as Manish Dodeja, COO of Care Health Insurance, pointed out, “Despite rising participation, meaningful headroom remains to strengthen coverage adequacy. Women must move towards becoming primary policyholders with comprehensive health insurance to address rising medical costs.”

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Industry surveys reveal persistent vulnerabilities.

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\n TATA AIG’s recent findings show only 20% of women in India have adequate health coverage for critical treatments, while nearly 80% lack insurance exceeding ₹20 lakh, levels often necessary for chronic conditions like cancer or cardiac care.\n
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\n Rajagopal Rudraraju, Head, Consumer Business Claims at TATA AIG, warned, “Low policy retention and coverage gaps mean many women remain underinsured despite rising participation.”\n
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\n Star Health Insurance highlights a structural shift in behaviour.\n
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\n Women now hold 21% of new retail health policies as primary policyholders, with preventive check-ups surging 127% year-on-year, and 143% among women aged 40+.\n
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\n Anand Roy, MD & CEO, Star Health, said, “Health insurance is integrated into early-stage financial planning. Women are viewing long-term coverage as a foundation for security rather than a one-off purchase.”\n
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\n Beyond health, insurance is emerging as a vital shield for women entrepreneurs.\n
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\n Prantik Mitra, Director at Alliance Insurance Brokers, noted that women-led businesses face higher cyber, litigation, and operational risks. Policies such as Professional Indemnity, Directors & Officers, cyber insurance, and business interruption cover are critical to safeguarding personal wealth and ensuring business continuity.\n
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\n Saurabh, Founder & CEO of CoverSure, summed up the shift.\n
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\n “Insurance is finally catching up with women’s lives, from coverage for reproductive health and chronic conditions to maternity and personal accident plans recognizing homemakers as economically valuable. The best policy moves with her life, not just a single milestone,\" he said.\n
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\n Yet, gaps remain.\n
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\n IRDAI’s data shows women comprise around 34% of life insurance policyholders, but only 29% in standalone health insurance distribution.\n
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\n Experts say closing participation and adequacy gaps is vital as medical inflation rises and treatment journeys lengthen.\n
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Women’s health insurance uptake rises, but coverage gaps remain: Experts

SUMMARY