Chennai: Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has released new insights highlighting a significant shift in women health insurance in India, revealing that women now account for 21% of all new retail health policies as primary policyholders.
The data, derived from the company’s retail health portfolio covering over 10 million women lives, points to a structural transformation in healthcare behaviour and financial planning patterns among Indian women.
The findings show that women health insurance in India is increasingly becoming a critical component of financial security and preventive healthcare planning.
Preventive Healthcare Adoption Driving Women Health Insurance in India
The report indicates strong growth in preventive healthcare adoption among women. Preventive health check-ups among women recorded a 127% year-on-year increase (9M FY26 vs 9M FY25). The growth was even more pronounced among women aged 40 years and above, where uptake rose by 143%.
This surge reflects rising awareness around early diagnosis, routine health monitoring, and the growing importance of women health insurance in India as part of early financial planning strategies.
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Rising Long-Term Coverage Among Women
The analysis also highlights increasing preference for longer-term health protection plans. Long-term health policies purchased by women increased by 65% year-on-year, indicating a stronger focus on sustained healthcare coverage.
Anand Roy, MD & CEO of Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited, said: “India is witnessing a meaningful shift in women’s approach to healthcare and financial protection. Younger women are engaging more in preventive care and integrating health insurance earlier into financial planning – viewing it as a foundational element of security.
Health insurance plays three important roles in this journey: strengthening a family’s financial resilience, acting as a safety net during medical emergencies, and preserving long-term financial stability. We have observed long-term policy uptake among women has increased 65% year-on-year, indicating a clear shift toward longer-term coverage and sustained health protection. As this shift gathers pace, ensuring that more women view health protection as an essential part of financial planning will become even more important.”
Women Health Insurance in India: Key Highlights from the Star Health Data
- 28% of women proposers fall within the 21–30 age group
- 65% increase in long-term policies purchased by women
- Preventive health check-ups increased 127% overall and 143% among women aged 40+
- Approximately 37% growth in female premium contribution
- 38% increase in female wellness engagement
Premium contribution from women has also grown about 37% year-on-year, reinforcing the trend of rising participation in women health insurance in India.
Over the past five years, the average sum insured purchased by women has nearly doubled—from ₹5.5 lakh to ₹10.5 lakh, indicating greater financial preparedness for healthcare needs.
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Women Increasingly Engaging With Digital Healthcare Services
Beyond policy ownership, the data also reveals strong growth in healthcare service engagement among women.
Overall female wellness usage increased by 38% year-on-year, surpassing the growth rate of the overall portfolio.
Key digital healthcare services also saw significant adoption:
- Telemedicine usage grew 21X
- Home Health Care services increased 4X
These services witnessed strong growth across metropolitan, urban, semi-urban, and rural markets, reflecting broader access and adoption of healthcare solutions linked with women health insurance in India.
Insurance Purchase Still Largely Agent-Led
Despite rising digital engagement in healthcare services, policy sourcing continues to remain largely assisted.
The data shows that 83% of female health insurance policies were sold through agents, highlighting the continued importance of advisory-led purchasing decisions in the insurance sector.
Women-Focused Insurance Ecosystem
Responding to evolving healthcare needs, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited has developed a women-focused product ecosystem designed to support different life stages.
The company offers the Women’s Care Health Insurance Policy, which allows women to be primary policyholders while covering reproductive health needs from conception to childbirth and beyond.
The plan includes coverage for:
- Maternity expenses
- Pregnancy-related complications
- Antenatal and postnatal care
- Newborn coverage
- IVF treatments
- Surrogacy-related treatments
In addition, the company offers the Mamta women’s wellness rider, which addresses several health conditions commonly affecting women, including:
- PCOS / PCOD
- Osteoporosis
- PMS
- Anaemia
- UTIs
- Cervical and breast cancer concerns
Mamta also includes preventive services such as virtual gynaecologist consultations, yoga sessions, and counselling support.
For later life stages, the Param Seva add-on focuses on healthcare protection during senior years, enabling continued coverage as women age.
Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen the ecosystem around women health insurance in India, supporting women through early adulthood, motherhood, and healthy ageing.
