Children account for nearly half of pollution-related health insurance claims: Policybazaar

Health insurance claims for children under 10 comprised 43% of the pollution-related claims due to respiratory and cardiac diseases. According to a Policybazaar report, claims jumped nearly 14% after Diwali due to a deterioration in the Air Quality Index (AQI), with children being hit the hardest.

Overall, pollution-related claims rose from 7.6% pre-Diwali in 2024 to a projected 9% (data till September) post-Diwali 2025, driven by stubble burning, fireworks, and stagnant winter air.

The surge in claims was led by Delhi at 38%, followed by Hyderabad with 8.34%, and Bengaluru at 8.23%, per the report.


The report further noted that the average claim size for pollution-related illnesses stood at Rs 55,263, compared to Rs 61,319 for non-pollution cases.

The cost of treatment for respiratory illnesses has risen by 11% between FY23 and FY24, and for cardiac treatments by 6%. The average hospitalisation cost per day stood at Rs 19,076.

"Respiratory and cardiac treatment costs are rising, and claim volumes spike between October and December — the peak pollution window. Health insurance, especially family and OPD-inclusive covers, has become an essential safeguard during India's high-pollution months," said Singhal, head of health insurance at Policybazaar.