Policybazaar data shows destination wedding travel insurance up 27%; Thailand emerges as top pick

Overseas weddings are reshaping both how Indians travel and how they insure their trips. Travel insurance purchases linked to destination weddings jumped 27.4% year-on-year in 2024 and are up another 27.4% in 2025 YTD (year-till-date), while travellers aged 60 and above now account for 25% of buyers, according to a Policybazaar analysis of data from 2023–2025 YTD.

The trend reflects longer, costlier, multi-generational weddings abroad — with Thailand, the UAE and parts of Europe emerging as top choices.

Destination weddings push steady insurance growth

Policybazaar’s data shows sustained momentum in wedding-linked travel insurance over three years, suggesting that international weddings are no longer an elite trend but a mainstream preference for Indian families.

The company attributes the rise not just to higher outbound travel, but also to growing awareness of medical risks, baggage losses, trip disruptions and visa-related uncertainties during multi-day celebrations.

Where Indians are getting married abroad

Indian couples are spreading their weddings across a mix of aspirational and affordable destinations:

• Thailand remains the most preferred choice due to proximity, easy visas and established Indian wedding infrastructure.


• UAE attracts families looking for luxury venues and seamless international connectivity.


• Vietnam and Sri Lanka are gaining traction as cost-effective yet scenic alternatives.


• Italy, Spain and Greece appeal to smaller, high-spend wedding groups.


• Oman and Maldives are popular for intimate, close-family ceremonies.

Policybazaar notes that this range shows how destination weddings now cater to both large celebrations and curated private gatherings.

Insurance spikes track the wedding calendar — not holidays

Unlike regular travel insurance, wedding-linked policies closely follow India’s marriage seasons.

Key demand spikes recorded by Policybazaar include:

• 15 January–31 March: +8% (2023–24) and +16% (2024–25)


• July–August: +11% and +10% respectively


• 1 November–15 December: the sharpest rise — +30% in 2023–24, followed by +8% in 2024–25

The winter wedding window remains the strongest trigger for policy purchases.

Multi-generational travel drives medical cover demand

Wedding travel is family-led, which is reshaping insurance preferences.

Age-wise profile of buyers linked to weddings:

• 25–34 years (bride/groom): 40%


• 45–60 years (parents): 35%


• 60+ years (senior travellers): 25%

The growing share of seniors has pushed demand for medical and pre-existing disease (PED) coverage, as families travel together for longer international stays.

Who buys the policy?

• Couples: 60%


• Family members: 30%


• NRI relatives: 10%

Policybazaar says this highlights a collaborative approach to wedding travel planning.

Metro cities lead, but Tier-2 towns are catching up

Urban India still dominates demand, but participation is widening beyond big metros.

Top contributing cities:

• Mumbai: 16%


• Bengaluru: 13%


• Delhi: 8%


• Hyderabad: 5%


• Chennai: 4%

Emerging clusters include Pune, Gurugram, New Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Jaipur, Ludhiana and Jalandhar — signalling that destination weddings are no longer limited to Tier-1 cities.

Bigger wedding groups return in 2025

After a brief post-pandemic slowdown, group wedding travel is rebounding strongly.

Policybazaar records show a 2% dip in group bookings from 2023 to 2024, followed by a 28% surge in 2025 YTD.

The revival of larger guest lists has increased demand for comprehensive family and group travel insurance plans.

High sum insured becomes the norm

Across destinations, wedding travellers consistently opt for $250,000 in coverage — whether travelling to Southeast Asia, the Middle East or Europe.

While premiums are typically higher for Europe due to longer stays and steeper medical costs, the chosen sum insured remains largely uniform.

What wedding travellers want covered

Policybazaar data shows that wedding travellers prioritise protection for valuables and health:

• Baggage loss: 28% (high-value outfits, jewellery, accessories)


• Medical emergencies: 25%


• Pre-existing disease cover: 22%


• Trip cancellation: 15%


• Flight delays/missed connections: 10%

Meet Kapadia, Head of Travel Insurance at Policybazaar, said the trend marks a structural shift in how families approach wedding travel.

“Destination weddings have become a popular choice for Indian families, and our data clearly shows how travel insurance planning is evolving alongside this shift. What stands out is the sharp rise in insurance adoption around wedding seasons, driven by multi-generational travel, longer international stays, and the high financial and emotional stakes involved,” Kapadia said.

He added that wedding travellers now treat insurance as “an essential part of wedding planning rather than an afterthought,” prioritising medical cover, baggage protection and high sum insured.