There has been a steady rise in health insurance claims following Diwali, primarily due to increased pollution levels.
In 2022, claims related to pollution accounted for 6.4% of total claims, which surged to 9% by 2025, marking a 14% increase, reported Mint.com.
In September 2025 alone, approximately 9% of hospital admissions were attributed to pollution-related illnesses, including respiratory issues, heart conditions, and various allergies affecting the eyes and skin.
Delhi leads the country in terms of the number of such insurance claims, while Bengaluru and Hyderabad have a higher proportion of claims.
A report from Policybazaar highlights that air pollution is not only detrimental to health but also strains household finances.
It reveals that around 43% of pollution-related health insurance claims involve children, indicating that this age group is the most adversely affected. Additionally, the cost of treating respiratory and heart diseases has risen by 11% over the past year, with children experiencing five times the impact compared to other age groups.