94% of corporate employees in India say unexpected medical costs stress their finances. Only 41% know their employer's insurance benefits. Tata AIG survey covers 748 workers across eight cities.
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Rising healthcare costs have become the top financial worry for India's salaried workers, pushing past job security, EMIs and other pressures, according to a survey by Tata AIG General Insurance.
A full 94% of respondents said unexpected medical expenses cause financial stress. Hospitalisation costs, lifestyle diseases, family health coverage and inadequate emergency savings were the leading concerns, according to the Corporate Health Protection Pulse 2026.
The finding reveals a deeper vulnerability. Nearly seven in 10 respondents said they could support themselves for six months or less if they lost their jobs. Only 12% could manage for more than a year without a paycheck.
The survey covered 748 employees aged 28-55 in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Kolkata. All had Group Medical Cover (GMC) through their employer.
Even with that coverage, many are not confident it would be enough. Close to 75% said their employer-provided GMC alone might not be adequate in an emergency hospitalisation.
Eighty-four percent said having additional health insurance beyond their employer cover is important. Yet 45% had no personal health insurance apart from their GMC.
Knowledge about existing benefits is thin. Only 41% of respondents said they were fully aware of all features and benefits under their group cover.
"While Group Medical Cover remains an important pillar of employee wellbeing, the findings show that many individuals are still uncertain about the extent of their coverage and whether it would be adequate during a medical emergency or a job transition," said Dr Santosh Puri, Head of Retail – Health Underwriting at Tata AIG General Insurance.
The data flags a vulnerability at the moment of job change. Eighty-eight percent said uninterrupted health cover during a switch is important. Only 40% knew of solutions to maintain medical coverage through that transition.
Healthcare expenses were the single biggest financial concern during a job change, ahead of losing income and meeting EMI obligations.
Family protection was the top reason employees said they consider extra health insurance. Higher sum insured, coverage for dependents and continuation of coverage through job moves were the most valued features when evaluating a top-up plan.
Tata AIG said lack of awareness and a "will buy later" mindset are the main barriers keeping employees from buying additional insurance, particularly among those aged 28-34.
The survey shows that having employer-provided health insurance does not guarantee financial protection. Understanding the limits of group cover, assessing family needs and ensuring continuity through employment changes are gaps the industry has not yet closed.
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