Over 75% of women do not have adequate health cover: Study

Mumbai: A significant gap in health insurance coverage for women in India continues to persist, leaving many financially vulnerable in the face of medical emergencies. According to data from TATA AIG, while women represent 47% of the insured population, 75% remain underinsured, with no coverage above Rs 20 lakh, which is often necessary for critical treatments such as cancer or heart surgery. This highlights a pressing need for greater sum insured and long-term financial planning to secure women's health.

Dinesh Mosamkar, senior VP of consumer underwriting at TATA AIG, said, “With cancer and other serious illnesses on the rise among women, financial preparedness is more critical than ever. While we see encouraging participation in health insurance, low policy retention and lower coverage amounts indicate that many women remain underinsured. Ensuring adequate coverage and improving access to preventive healthcare will be key to protecting both individual well-being and the broader healthcare ecosystem.”

The situation is even more alarming for women over 45, a group at higher risk for critical illnesses. While 70% of insured women are between 25 and 45 years old, policy retention drops significantly beyond this age, with only 30% of women over 45 having health insurance. This trend leaves many financially exposed to escalating medical costs at a time when healthcare needs become more pressing, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained financial protection.

Insurance adoption among women also varies widely across regions. Maharashtra leads, with 25% of the insured female population, followed by Gujarat and Delhi at 15% each. States like West Bengal and Telangana account for only 6% each, pointing to a need for greater awareness and stronger insurance penetration in these areas.

In addition to financial coverage, preventive healthcare remains a crucial yet often neglected aspect of women’s well-being. Many women delay regular health checkups due to family responsibilities, leading to late-stage diagnoses and higher hospitalization rates, Tata AIG said in a statement.


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