Brands
Big fat weddings go global as travel insurance demand jumps sharply
INDIA: Indian weddings are packing their bags and their insurance policies as destination ceremonies abroad move firmly into the mainstream, driving a sharp rise in international travel insurance uptake.
Data from Policybazaar shows wedding-linked travel insurance purchases climbing steadily over the past three years, rising 27.4 per cent from 2023 to 2024 and a further 27.4 per cent from 2024 to 2025 year to date. The trend reflects both growing volumes of overseas wedding travel and heightened awareness of the financial risks tied to multi-day, high-cost celebrations.
From beachfront vows in Thailand to vineyard ceremonies in Italy, couples are increasingly opting for destinations that balance aspiration with accessibility. Thailand has emerged as the most popular choice, buoyed by visa ease and established Indian wedding infrastructure, followed by the UAE for its luxury venues and connectivity.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka are gaining traction as cost-efficient scenic alternatives, while Italy, Spain and Greece are drawing smaller, high-spend wedding groups. Oman and the Maldives continue to attract intimate family-only ceremonies.
Insurance demand closely tracks India’s wedding calendar rather than holiday seasons. The winter wedding window from 1 November to 15 December saw the sharpest surge, with purchases jumping 30 per cent between 2023 and 2024, followed by a further 8 per cent rise in 2025. Summer and early-year wedding periods also recorded consistent double-digit growth.
Weddings abroad are proving to be a multi-generational affair. Buyers aged 25 to 34, typically the bride and groom, accounted for 40 per cent of policies, while parents aged 45 to 60 made up 35 per cent. Senior travellers over 60 represented a substantial 25 per cent share, driving higher demand for medical and pre-existing disease cover.
In most cases, couples themselves purchased the insurance, accounting for 60 per cent of policies, while family members contributed 30 per cent and overseas relatives 10 per cent.
Urban India continues to lead the trend. Mumbai topped the list with 16 per cent of wedding-linked travel insurance demand, followed by Bengaluru at 13 per cent, Delhi at 8 per cent, Hyderabad at 5 per cent and Chennai at 4 per cent. At the same time, rising participation from cities such as Pune, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Jaipur and Ludhiana points to a widening base beyond major metros.
After a brief post-pandemic dip, group and family travel has staged a strong comeback. While group bookings slipped around 2 per cent between 2023 and 2024, they surged nearly 28 per cent in 2025 year to date, signalling renewed confidence in large international celebrations.
Across destinations, travellers showed a clear preference for robust coverage, consistently opting for a $250,000 sum insured whether travelling to Southeast Asia, the Middle East or Europe. European weddings typically attracted higher premiums, reflecting longer stays and steeper medical costs.
Baggage loss, often involving expensive outfits and jewellery, topped coverage preferences at 28 per cent, followed by medical emergencies at 25 per cent, pre-existing disease cover at 22 per cent, trip cancellation at 15 per cent, and flight delays or missed connections at 10 per cent.
Policybazaar head of travel insurance Meet Kapadia, said insurance planning was now becoming an integral part of wedding preparations.
“Destination weddings have become a popular choice for Indian families, and our data clearly shows how insurance adoption is rising alongside this shift,” he said. “Multi-generational travel, longer international stays and the high emotional and financial stakes are pushing travellers towards comprehensive medical cover, protection for high-value baggage and higher sums insured.”
Brands
Mother Dairy unveils 30 plus products for summer portfolio push
Ice creams, regional dairy and high-protein range drive 30 per cent growth plans
MUMBAI: If summer had a flavour, Mother Dairy is making sure it comes in at least 30. As temperatures climb, Mother Dairy is turning up the chill with an expansive product blitz, announcing a pipeline of over 30 new offerings across its value-added dairy portfolio. Rolled out in phases through the season, the line-up spans indulgence, health, convenience and regional tastes, an attempt to meet India’s increasingly diverse consumption patterns head-on.
Ice creams take centre stage, accounting for around 20 of the new launches. The brand is introducing formats such as a Two-in-One Matka and Tub, alongside a premium ‘Crafted’ range and flavours like Cream Cheese Pistachio Cone and Kulfi Cassata. There is also a clear nod to calorie-conscious consumers, with the debut of a ‘Go-Low’ range featuring variants such as Choco Almond, Shahi Mewa and Kesar Pista Tilla Kulfi.
Beyond indulgence, the company is sharpening its regional play. Products like Jamun Yoghurt and Bhuna Jeera Raita aim to tap into local flavour preferences, while Shrikhand offered in three variants targets western markets. For northern consumers, Meethi Dahi joins the mix, reinforcing a localisation strategy that goes beyond one-size-fits-all offerings.
Convenience is another key lever. Mother Dairy is expanding its UHT milk portfolio with Cow Milk and Standardised Milk in markets such as Jammu and Kashmir, catering to demand for longer shelf-life products without compromising accessibility.
On the nutrition front, the brand is doubling down on protein. Its ‘Pro’ range is being strengthened with Procurd and Propaneer high-protein curd and paneer variants positioning itself within the growing health-conscious segment while retaining its core taste proposition.
The scale of the rollout signals more than just seasonal experimentation. With expectations of over 30 per cent growth across key categories, the company is betting on innovation as a primary growth engine, supported by a mix of traditional and new-age distribution channels.
Marketing, too, is set to match the ambition. High-impact campaigns across ice creams and flavoured milk are in the pipeline, aimed particularly at younger consumers and designed to amplify summer consumption moments.
In a market where heat often dictates demand, Mother Dairy is not just responding to the season, it is trying to own it, one scoop, sip and spoonful at a time.
