Indian Couples Drive Growth In Destination Wedding Travel Insurance

Overseas Weddings Shape Travel Patterns And Insurance Needs

From beachside ceremonies in Thailand to vineyard weddings in Italy, Indian couples are increasingly planning destination weddings abroad. This trend is influencing international travel patterns and the demand for travel insurance.

Data from Policybazaar indicates steady growth in travel insurance purchases related to weddings, with higher uptake during peak wedding seasons. Families and senior travellers are increasingly participating, and there is a noticeable preference for coverage that includes baggage protection and medical assistance.

Where are Indians getting married abroad?

Indian couples are opting for a wide range of destinations that offer a balance of aspiration, convenience, and cost. Thailand remains the top choice due to its proximity, easy visa process, and well-established wedding infrastructure, while the UAE is preferred for luxury venues and strong international connectivity. Vietnam and Sri Lanka are emerging as scenic, budget-friendly options, whereas Italy, Spain, and Greece attract smaller, high-spending wedding groups. Destinations like Oman and the Maldives are popular for intimate, close-family celebrations. 

Travel insurance purchases for destination weddings have steadily increased over the past three years, highlighting the rising popularity of international weddings among Indian couples and their families. Policy data shows a 27.4 per cent growth from 2023 to 2024, followed by another 27.4 per cent increase from 2024 to 2025 year to date. 

The purchases linked to weddings also follow India’s marriage calendar, showing noticeable spikes during peak wedding periods rather than general holiday seasons. Between January 15 and March 31, purchases grew by eight per cent from 2023 to 2024 and 16 per cent from 2024 to 2025. The July-August window saw increases of 11 per cent and 10 per cent, while the November 1 to December 15 winter wedding period recorded the sharpest rise, with 30 per cent growth in 2024 and eight per cent in 2025. 
Buyers include 25–34-year-old couples (40 per cent), parents aged 45–60 (35 per cent), and senior travellers over 60 (25 per cent), which drives demand for coverage that includes medical and pre-existing conditions. In terms of who buys the policies, 60 per cent are the couples themselves, 30 per cent are family members, and 10 per cent come from NRI relatives. 

Demand for wedding travel insurance is primarily driven by urban centres, with the National Capital Region and major metros leading the way, though participation is gradually expanding to other cities. Top contributors include Mumbai with 16 per cent, Bengaluru with 13 per cent, Delhi with eight per cent, Hyderabad with five per cent, and Chennai with four per cent. Emerging clusters such as Pune, Gurugram, and New Delhi, each contributing around three per cent, along with rising interest from Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Jaipur, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar, indicate that international destination weddings are gaining traction beyond the traditional metro hubs.

Across destinations and travel styles, wedding travellers consistently prioritise high coverage, with a sum insured of  $250,000 being common for trips to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, while European trips often incur higher premiums due to longer stays and higher medical costs. Coverage preferences highlight the key risks associated with wedding travel, including baggage loss for high-value outfits and jewellery at 28 per cent, medical emergencies at 25 per cent, pre-existing disease coverage at 22 percent, trip cancellation at 15 per cent, and flight delays or missed connections at 10 per cent, underscoring the importance of robust protection for both financial and emotional peace of mind.

Meet Kapadia, Head of Travel Insurance, Policybazaar said, “Destination weddings have become a popular choice for Indian families, and our data clearly shows how travel insurance planning is evolving alongside this shift. 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 – treating travel insurance as an essential part of wedding planning rather than an afterthought.”