Big fat Indian weddings go global, drive sharp rise in travel insurance uptake

Indian weddings are increasingly moving beyond domestic banquet halls to beaches, vineyards and palace resorts overseas, and that shift is showing up clearly in travel insurance data. A new report by Policybazaar shows that destination weddings are no longer niche events but a mainstream travel category, driving steady and sustained growth in international travel insurance purchases over the past three years.

According to the report, travel insurance uptake linked to destination weddings grew 27.4% between 2023 and 2024, and expanded by another 27.4% in 2024–25 year-to-date (YTD). The consistent growth signals not just rising international travel volumes, but a growing awareness among Indian families of the financial and logistical risks involved in multi-day, high-cost wedding travel.

Also read: How the big fat Indian wedding has become a 12-month economy

“Today’s wedding travellers are treating travel insurance as an essential part of wedding planning rather than an afterthought,” said Meet Kapadia, head of travel insurance at Policybazaar.

Insurance demand mirrors wedding calendar

Unlike leisure travel, wedding-related insurance demand closely tracks India’s marriage calendar. The sharpest spikes were seen during the winter wedding window of November 1 to December 15, when insurance purchases rose 30% between 2023 and 2024, followed by an 8% increase in 2024–25 YTD. Smaller but consistent spikes were also recorded during January–March and July–August, which hints at how travel planning is now tied directly to wedding dates rather than holiday seasons.

The data also points to strong multi-generational participation. While couples aged 25–34 accounted for 40% of policyholders, parents aged 45–60 made up 35%, and senior travellers above 60 formed a significant 25%. This age mix is driving higher demand for medical and pre-existing disease coverage, especially as families travel together for longer international stays.

Also read: With rising venue, food and décor prices, a modern wedding can easily cross ₹30 lakh, says Finnovate's Nehal Mota

Urban centres continue to dominate wedding travel insurance demand, led by Mumbai with a 16% share, followed by Bengaluru at 13% and Delhi at 8%. However, emerging clusters in NCR and Tier-2 cities such as Jaipur, Ludhiana and Jalandhar indicate that international destination weddings are spreading beyond a handful of metros.

After a brief post-pandemic pause, group wedding travel is also rebounding strongly, with group bookings surging nearly 28% in 2024–25 YTD. Despite varied destinations, one constant remains: a $250,000 sum insured is the most commonly chosen cover! It shows the high financial and emotional stakes involved in destination weddings.

“Destination weddings have become a popular choice for Indian families... What stands out is the sharp rise in insurance adoption around wedding seasons, driven by multi-generational travel, longer international stays, and the high financial and emotional stakes involved. Today’s wedding travellers are prioritising comprehensive medical cover, protection for high-value baggage, and high sum insured," added Kapadia.

Thailand leads, Europe attracts premium spenders

Thailand has emerged as the most preferred destination for Indian weddings abroad, driven by proximity, visa ease and a well-developed Indian wedding ecosystem. The UAE continues to attract families looking for luxury venues and strong global connectivity, while Vietnam and Sri Lanka are gaining traction as cost-efficient yet scenic alternatives.

At the premium end, Italy, Spain and Greece are drawing smaller but high-spending wedding groups, while destinations such as Oman and the Maldives are popular for intimate, close-family ceremonies. Policybazaar noted that destination weddings now span everything from large guest-list celebrations to tightly curated affairs, depending on budget and travel complexity