The Indian health insurance sector is witnessing an unprecedented wave of interest from Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). A new report by PolicyBazaar shows that in FY 2024–25, the number of NRIs purchasing health insurance in India rose by a staggering 150% year-on-year, driven by lower premiums, high-quality treatment, and seamless digital access.
| Category | 2023–24 | 2024–25 | Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total NRI Policyholders | 100% | 250% | +150% |
| Women Customers | 100% | 225% | +125% |
| Customers Under 35 | 100% | 248% | +148% |
| Claims from Tier-3 Cities | – | 46% | – |
Why the Surge?
Health insurance in India costs 60–90% less than in most developed countries. In the U.S., a heart bypass surgery can cost between ₹58 lakh to ₹1.24 crore, while in India, the same procedure is available for just ₹4.1 lakh to ₹6.6 lakh. This price gap, coupled with quality medical infrastructure, is drawing NRIs from the UAE, UK, U.S., and beyond to the Indian insurance market.
Demographic Shifts
The report highlights a 125% rise in female NRI buyers and a 148% jump in those under 35. This marks a shift from buying policies only for elderly parents to also covering themselves for treatment in India.
Preferred Treatment Destinations
Tier-3 cities now account for 46% of NRI health insurance claims, followed by Tier-2 at 33% and Tier-1 at 21%. Popular treatment hubs include Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, along with Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Pune, Thane, and Coimbatore.
Leading Health Conditions
Top claim categories include infectious diseases (18%), respiratory illnesses (11%), cancer (9%), and heart-related ailments (9%), with gastrointestinal, neurological, eye, and musculoskeletal issues also significant.
Why It Matters:
This trend signals a major growth opportunity for India’s health insurance sector, while also boosting medical tourism and validating government initiatives like Heal in India. With women and younger NRIs driving adoption, the market could see sustained growth in the coming years.
Affordable premiums, world-class care, and easy digital access are making Indian health insurance an attractive choice for NRIs — the only question now is, will you be part of this trend?
As more NRIs turn to India for affordable, high-quality healthcare, and industry leaders like PolicyBazaar & PaisaBazaar Make Big Profit in Q1 — Earn ₹85 Crore continue to expand their reach, the momentum in this segment shows no signs of slowing down.
