Archive · 11 Aug 2026
84% want extra health cover but 45% lack it: study
Many grown-ups who work at companies get health insurance from their boss, but sometimes that insurance is not enough.
A big insurance company called TATA AIG asked more than 748 workers what they think about this.
They found that most workers, about 84 out of 100, know they should have extra health insurance.
But almost half of them, about 45 out of 100, still have not bought it.
Many workers believe the insurance from their job would not pay for everything if they got very sick and had to go to the hospital.
Some workers do not buy extra insurance because they do not understand it or because they think they will do it later.
The study also found that unexpected medical bills stress out almost everyone, especially when people change jobs.
Only a few workers fully understand what their work insurance actually covers.
TATA AIG hopes that by sharing this information, workers will learn more and get the extra protection they need.
TATA AIG's Corporate Health Protection Pulse 2026 survey of 748+ corporate employees found 84% consider additional health insurance beyond employer GMC important, yet 45% do not have it.
Nearly 75% of respondents believe employer-provided Group Medical Cover (GMC) alone would not be sufficient during an emergency hospitalisation.
Only 41% of corporate employees said they were fully aware of all features and benefits of their employer-provided GMC.
94% said unexpected medical expenses cause them financial stress, and healthcare costs were identified as the biggest financial concern during a job transition.
While 88% consider uninterrupted health cover during a job change important, only 40% are aware of solutions that ensure continuity of coverage.
- Who
- Corporate employees in India surveyed by TATA AIG for its Corporate Health Protection Pulse 2026 study (748+ respondents).
- What
- A study revealing a health insurance protection gap: most employees see additional cover as important, but nearly half lack it and awareness of employer-provided GMC benefits is low.
- When
- 2026 (based on the study title, The Corporate Health Protection Pulse 2026).
- Where
- India (referred to in the article as corporate India).
- Why
- Barriers such as lack of awareness and a 'will buy later' attitude prevent employees from purchasing extra cover, even though most doubt employer GMC alone would be enough in a medical emergency.
- Study
- TATA AIG's The Corporate Health Protection Pulse 2026
- Respondents
- 748+ corporate employees
- Consider additional health insurance important
- 84%
- Do not have additional health insurance
- 45%
- Believe employer GMC alone is insufficient in an emergency
- Nearly 75%
- Fully aware of their GMC features and benefits
- 41%
- Say unexpected medical expenses cause financial stress
- 94%
- Aware of health cover continuity solutions during job change
- 40%