Pollution Plagues India's Health: Insurance Claims Surge Post-Diwali

According to a report by Indian insurance aggregator Policybazaar, pollution-linked illnesses have turned from an environmental crisis into a major health emergency in India. The data shows that such claims now account for over 8% of total insurance claims, with a sharp spike in the weeks following the Diwali festival each year.

The report found that pollution is impacting multiple organ systems, leading to a rise in claims for conditions like asthma, COPD, arrhythmia, hypertension, eczema, and pregnancy complications. Notably, children under 10 are the hardest hit, making up 43% of all pollution-related claims - five times more than any other age group.

The financial toll is also increasing, with treatment costs for respiratory illnesses rising 11% and cardiac complications by 6% from FY2023 to FY2024. The average claim size for pollution-linked ailments stands at ₹55,263, indicating shorter but repeated episodes of care.

While Delhi continues to record the highest share of pollution-linked claims, the problem is now a national concern, with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai also seeing a rise in such cases. Tier-2 cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, and Indore are also showing an upward trend.