GST on Insurance in India — What Changed in September 2025 and What It Means for You

By Sagar Narang
Financial security through insurance.                        Imade Description - Financial security through insurance. .

In a move that surprised many in the insurance industry, the 56th GST Council meeting on September 3, 2025 — chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman — announced the complete removal of GST on individual health and life insurance premiums. The change took effect from September 22, 2025.

If you've been paying health insurance or term insurance premiums in India, you've been paying 18% GST on top of the base premium since GST was introduced in 2017. From September 22, 2025, that tax component is gone.

This is a meaningful policy change that affects tens of millions of insurance policyholders across India, including families across Noida, Greater Noida, and Delhi NCR. Here's exactly what happened, what it covers, and what you can do with the savings.


What the 18% GST Actually Meant Before September 2025

For most people, insurance premiums arrived as a single number on the renewal notice. What wasn't obvious was that 18% of that number was going to the government as GST, not toward your coverage.

A practical example: a family floater health insurance plan with a base premium of ₹28,000 per year was actually costing ₹33,040 — with ₹5,040 going as GST. A term insurance plan with a base premium of ₹15,000 was costing ₹17,700. The tax wasn't refundable, wasn't credited toward coverage, and didn't provide any benefit to the policyholder.

The argument that GST on insurance was counterproductive had been made for years. Insurance provides financial security — taxing people for buying financial security was seen as contradictory to the government's stated goal of achieving "Insurance for All by 2047." The GST Council's September 2025 decision addressed this directly.


Exactly What Changed on September 22, 2025

The GST rate on the following was reduced from 18% to 0%:

Health Insurance:

  • Individual health insurance plans
  • Family floater health insurance plans
  • Senior citizen health insurance plans
  • Personal accident insurance plans
  • Travel insurance plans (retail, individual basis)

Life Insurance:

  • Individual term insurance plans
  • ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plans) — individual
  • Endowment plans — individual
  • Whole life plans — individual
  • Child plans — individual

What is NOT covered by the GST exemption:

  • Group health insurance plans (employer-purchased policies covering employees) — GST of 18% still applies to group premiums
  • Group term life insurance — GST still applies
  • Marine, commercial, and other corporate insurance products

This distinction matters for employees who buy voluntary top-ups through their employer's group scheme — those group-channel top-ups may still attract GST. If you buy a retail individual super top-up plan directly (not through the employer), the GST exemption applies.


How Much Are You Actually Saving?

The savings depend on your current premium. Here are real examples with Noida-relevant numbers:

Family floater health plan (family of four):

  • Base premium: ₹25,000/year
  • Earlier cost with 18% GST: ₹29,500
  • Current cost (September 2025 onwards): ₹25,000
  • Annual saving: ₹4,500

Senior citizen individual health plan:

  • Base premium: ₹45,000/year
  • Earlier cost: ₹53,100
  • Current cost: ₹45,000
  • Annual saving: ₹8,100

Term insurance (₹1 crore cover, healthy 30-year-old):

  • Base premium: ₹13,000/year
  • Earlier cost: ₹15,340
  • Current cost: ₹13,000
  • Annual saving: ₹2,340

Over a 20-year term insurance policy, the accumulated premium saving from GST removal — compounded conservatively — can be significant. It's not a dramatic single-year number, but it adds up.


Do Existing Policies Benefit Automatically?

Yes — for renewals. If your health or life insurance policy was renewed on or after September 22, 2025, the GST component drops to zero automatically. You don't need to cancel and rebuy your policy. You don't need to call your insurer to claim the benefit.

The renewal invoice should reflect 0% GST. If you notice your insurer is still charging 18% GST on a renewal after September 22, 2025 — which would be incorrect — contact them immediately and escalate to IRDAI if the issue isn't resolved.

What about premiums paid before September 22, 2025? GST already paid on previous premiums is not refundable. The exemption applies to payments made from September 22, 2025 onwards.


What to Do With the Savings

The most financially productive thing to do with insurance premium savings is to reinvest them in better coverage — not let them dissipate into general spending.

Practical options for Noida policyholders:

Increase your sum insured: If you've been underinsured because the full premium felt too high, this is the opportunity to upgrade. A 10 lakh family floater to a 15 lakh floater. A 50 lakh term plan to 1 crore. The premium is now 18% lower than it would have been before September 2025.

Add riders that were previously skipped: Critical illness rider on a term plan. OPD cover on a health plan. Personal accident rider. These additions now cost 18% less than they would have in August 2025.

Start a health plan if you've been delaying: If the premium cost was genuinely a barrier — especially for self-employed people and gig workers in Noida who pay entirely from pocket — the 18% reduction is a meaningful improvement in affordability.

Save or invest the difference: The ₹4,000–₹8,000 annual saving from GST removal on a family health plan, invested monthly in a SIP over 10 years, builds a real corpus. The insurance payment covers the risk; the saving compounds for the future.


The Broader Picture: Why This Matters for Noida and India

India's insurance penetration is approximately 4% of GDP — well below the global average of 6.8% and significantly below more financially developed countries. A meaningful barrier to insurance purchase in urban India has been the perception that it's expensive. GST removal makes that barrier lower.

For Noida's large self-employed and gig worker population — people paying insurance premiums entirely out of pocket without employer contribution — an 18% reduction in premium costs is genuinely material. ₹3,000 saved on health insurance is a month's supply of diapers for a new parent, a month of school fees, or a month's contribution to an emergency fund.

The Finance Minister acknowledged this explicitly at the September 2025 council: "You want to tax insurance premiums? After a detailed study, taking stakeholders into confidence, we have come up with this so that families and also people who take individual insurance get the benefit."


Policywings and the Post-September 2025 Insurance Market

At Policywings, we're seeing increased interest in insurance buying and upgrades since the GST removal took effect. People who were on the fence about increasing their sum insured, adding riders, or buying their first personal plan are now more likely to act.

If you haven't reviewed your insurance since September 2025, the renewal that comes after that date is a good time to do so — particularly if you want to assess whether the premium savings create room to improve your coverage.

To review your insurance and understand how the GST change affects your specific policies, call +91-98111-67809.


Policywings Insurance Broking Pvt. Ltd. | IRDAI License No. DB 835 | A-57, 5th Floor, Sector-136, Noida | +91-98111-67809

Share this article:

More on Insurance

Hand-picked reads on insurance to help you decide with confidence.

Benefits of Buying Insurance Policies Online in IndiaGeneral Insurance

Benefits of Buying Insurance Policies Online in India

Introduction The decision to buy insurance is often delayed. This is not because people don’t see the need for it but because they assume that the process is too complicated and time-consuming. Today, there are no long forms, multiple visits or tons of paperwork. Just a few clicks and individuals can understand, compare and choose the right coverage. Looking for an insurance policy online offers convenience, better control and complete information. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits that make it clear why more people now prefer to buy insurance online rather instead of going the traditional way. Easy Comparison Without Pressure One of the best things of online insurance is that you can easily compare plans side by side. When you prefer to buy insurance online, you can: Compare premiums, coverage and features of multiple options Read policy details at your own speed and convenience Make decisions without anyone putting sales pressure Finally, are able to choose a suitable policy and not the one that is pitched and pushed to you. Better Understanding of What You’re Buying When explained in a very technical way or in a hurry, insurance can feel complicated. But when you switch to online platforms you can: Know the benefits in simple language Be clearly aware of inclusions and exclusions Understand how a term plan or other policies work Eventually, it helps you take better decisions and you face fewer surprises later. Often More Cost-Effective Exploring options and making a purchase online can reduce the extra costs because: There are no middlemen commissions Operational expenses are lower You get direct pricing from insurers As a result, there are high chances of getting better premiums for the same insurance policy. Flexibility to Buy as Per Your Schedule The ease around buying online insurance is that you don’t need to adjust around working hours or waste half of your day when you’re already too busy. You can simply: Explore plans anytime that’s suitable Complete your purchases from home Access all the policy documents digitally This is particularly very useful for those who juggle work, family and finances together and need to specially take out time from things. Faster Issuing of Policy The standard physical insurance processes can take anywhere between some days to weeks. But when you buy insurance online: You can submit proposals instantly Verification happens quicker Takes just some hours to issue policies In situations when you need coverage urgently, online is always the best. Transparency in Premiums and Benefits Online platforms give the clear details of: Exact premium breakdowns Insurance coverage limits Cost of the add-ons Since there’s hardly any room for hidden charges, online insurance is surely a very safe option for first-time buyers. Easy Access to Policy Documents Most people are anxious that they might lose the physical documents. But with online purchases: Policies are digitally stored You can access the documents anytime It’s easier to track renewals and updates The long-term management of your insurance policy becomes a lot simpler. Simple Renewals and Updates It’s usually a straightforward process of renewing or updating a policy online. You can: Renew it with a few clicks Update personal details quickly anytime Adjust coverage when you need to With this, you can make sure that your policy remains active without any unnecessary hassle. Ideal for Term Insurance Buyers You can understand the best about term plan when you can clearly see: What’s the coverage amount Duration of the policy Premium structure With online platforms, these details are easy to compare. Buyers can use this information for choosing sufficient protection confidently. Informed Decisions, Not Impulse Purchases When you decide to buy insurance online, you will have enough time to: Read the details Compare the options Think about it There are very less chances of taking impulsive decisions. You’ll have more confidence in the policy you select. What to Check Before Buying Insurance Online It’s pretty simple to buy insurance online. All you need is a quick review of the important details to make sure the insurance policy works how you expect it to. The key is to focus on clarity than just cost when you buy insurance online. Coverage and exclusions – Super important to know what’s included and what’s not Sum insured and tenure –The coverage and duration should ideally match your needs, particularly for a term plan Claim process – Properly verify how claims are filed and supported when needed Personal details – Confirm if the name, date of birth and nominee information is correct Premium breakup and renewals – Understand the charges involved and how renewals work Just pay attention to these careful during online insurance purchase for a reliable and stress-free choice. Conclusion It’s not just the technology that has influenced the shift toward online insurance. It’s actually how empowered you feel while making a decision. When you buy insurance online, you get full control, clarity and a lot of convenience. For choosing your first insurance policy or simply reviewing a term plan, doing it online lets you make the right decisions whenever you are ready and confident and not under any pressure.

Written byRahul NarangPublished onJanuary 8, 2026

Explore: Life Insurance

Broaden your view with a quick read on life insurance.

Top Term Insurance Plans for Senior Citizens in 2025Term Insurance

Top Term Insurance Plans for Senior Citizens in 2025

Planning for the future takes a different route in your retirement years. Paychecks may not be there but responsibilities are. Parents keep worrying, thinking, “What will happen to my family if something happens to me?” That’s exactly where term insurance has your back. Term insurance for parents not just covers risks but also makes sure your family continues to stay financially stable after you. Also, a reliable term insurance plan makes it easy to cope with the rising medical costs. The good news is that today, in 2025, many insurance providers in India are offering specially designed, simpler and smarter term insurance plans for senior citizens. Wondering which ones are worth considering? Let’s look at the top plans! What Is Term Insurance for Senior Citizens? It’s an insurance policy that provides the necessary financial protection to your family if unfortunately, something happens to you during the policy period. It doesn’t offer any returns or bonuses. Instead, it ensures your loved ones get a fixed payout in case you are no more. Now, the term insurance for senior citizens has the same concept but just a few changes: The eligibility age in some plans is now up to 70–75 years. It’s usually mandatory to get the medical check-ups. The increased age and health risks make the premium higher. At the end, the primary goal is to provide peace of mind that your dependents won’t face financial struggles after you. Why Should Seniors Consider Term Insurance? If you think insurance is only for the young, it’s not true. In real life, there are many responsibilities even after 60. You might have family members who are totally dependent on you, there may be unpaid loans or you simply want to leave behind a financial safety. Buying term insurance for parents or senior citizens makes a lot of sense because: Protecting the Dependents– The payout amount can be used by your spouse, children, or even grandchildren to manage their regular living expenses. Debt Coverage– If you have any home or personal loans going on, the insurance would really help your family in paying the EMIs. Legacy Planning– A term plan is a wonderful way to leave financial support for your loved ones when you’re no longer around. Peace of Mind– The fact that your family won’t face sudden financial issues lets you peacefully enjoy the retirement phase. What to Know Before Buying a Term Insurance Plan Before you finalize a plan, you must have an understanding of how term insurance plans for senior citizens work. Entry Age– Most insurance companies allow the entry of new policyholders up to the age of 65 or 70. In fact, a few extend it to 75. Coverage Period– According to your entry age, some plans ensure coverage up to 80, 90, or even 100 years. Medical Tests– You can always expect to get complete health checkups because it’s extremely important to be transparent about your medical history. Premiums– What you pay will certainly be higher than that for younger applicants. However, the peace of mind it offers is worth it. Claim Settlement Ratio–It’s highly recommended to choose a company that is well-known for fast and reliable claim settlements. Top Term Insurance Plans for Senior Citizens in 2025 As of 2025, here are some of the most trusted term insurance plans for senior citizens in India: Tata AIA Sampoorna Raksha Supreme This wonderful plan provides life cover up to the age of 100 years, along with flexible payout options. Whether you want to give your nominee a lump sum, a regular income or even both, it’s totally up to you. The solid claim settlement record of the company makes it a strong pick for seniors. ICICI Prudential iProtect Smart Allowing coverage up to 85 years of age, it also includes adding optional riders like critical illness and accidental death benefit. ICICI also runs online discounts for non-smokers and women applicants so do explore them. HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Super It is a very popular option for older buyers. This plan from HDFC offers multiple benefit options. There is “Life Protect” (which is the basic term plan) and “Income Plus” (which combines both lump sum & monthly income payouts). Kotak e-Term Plan This digital term plan from Kotak Life covers individuals up to the age of 75 years. You can rely on it for affordable premiums and an easy online purchase. Also, the documentation is quite minimal. PNB MetLife Mera Term Plan Plus The senior citizens who want flexibility can totally go with this plan. In this, you can either pick a life cover up to 99 years or even a shorter policy term as per your needs. Moreover, the company also offers joint-life options for couples so you can consider them. SBI Life eShield Next SBI, one of the most trusted names in insurance, offers this term plan that covers you till you’re 85 years old. Its flexible premium payment terms and add on for critical illnesses make it so popular. You can trust these insurers for their good claim settlement history. They even offer online tools to quickly calculate the premium amount. However, before you go on with a plan, do pay attention to the eligibility criteria and your current health conditions. Choosing the Right Term Insurance Plan Comparing different options might confuse you. Here is how you can pick the most suitable term insurance plan: Start with Your Age & Health: Since your eligibility & premium heavily depend on these two factors, you must get a full medical checkup before applying. Decide the Coverage Amount: The payout has to be enough to cover the needs, debts and other expenses of your dependents. Compare Premiums Online: Go to trusted websites to get quotes so you can compare and see which policy fits your budget the best. Check Payout Options: Would your family prefer a one-time lump sum or a regular monthly income after you? This needs to be decided before. Check Claim History: It’s

Written byRahul NarangPublished onNovember 3, 2025