The average sum insured in India increased from Rs 14.5 lakh to Rs 19 lakh after GST removal on the insurance premium, according to Policybazaar report ‘Decoding India’s Financial Behavior in 2025’.
Buyers
are now opting for higher sum insured health policies post GST removal, with the demand rising 47 per cent for Rs 10-25 lakh covers and 85 per cent for Rs 25 lakh and above covers, the report added.
Buyers increasingly opted for longer protection periods, reflected in the higher selection of 4-year and 5-year health insurance policies. 4-year and 5-year tenures increased by 56 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively.
Similarly, policies with sum insured below Rs 10 lakh declined by 29 per cent year-on-year.
The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising ministers from all states, on Wednesday had decided to exempt health and life insurance premiums from the levy of goods and services tax (GST), from September 22, 2025.
Term Insurance Demand Grows 37%
In term insurance, demand grew 37% in 2025, led by buyers aged 25–40 years. Rs 1 crore emerged as the most popular cover, while higher sums are gradually gaining ground. Salaried individuals dominated purchases, and while men accounted for 80% of buyers, women showed a stronger preference for critical illness riders—pointing to more need-based choices.
Premium On Motor Insurance Jumps 200%
Motor insurance reflected changing mobility trends. Electric vehicle insurance purchases grew nearly 2.5 times year-on-year, with premiums surging about 200%. Add-ons such as roadside assistance and zero depreciation are becoming standard, especially for new vehicles. Pay-as-you-drive policies also saw meaningful adoption among urban users, offering savings for low-mileage drivers.
Travel Insurance Becomes Must-Have
Travel insurance shifted from optional to essential. Policy issuance rose 15%, with travellers opting for higher covers, especially for the US and Canada. Senior citizens emerged as an important growth segment, accounting for 15% of insured travellers.
Millennials Are On Fore Front
On the investment front, millennials led participation, with under-35 investors now forming 25% of retirement product buyers. Longer tenures of 20 years or more are increasingly preferred, reflecting patience and long-term thinking.
