India insurers look to hike health premiums as pollution stings

NEW DELHI: Indian insurers are considering making New Delhi residents pay 10 percent to 15 percent more for new health policies after an extraordinary spike in claims related to air pollution in 2024 in India’s capital, according to nine executives aware of the matter.

The plan, now in discussion amongst insurers and which would need approval from the insurance regulator, follows record-breaking air pollution in New Delhi last year.If approved, it would be the first time air pollution was used as a direct factor in figuring health insurance premiums in India, and could be used to justify price hikes in other cities as well.All the executives spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to speak with media.