Star Health’s D2C channel grew 38% in FY26, led by under-40 buyers

Star Health said 66% of fresh D2C health-policy customers in FY26 were under 40, while salaried professionals accounted for nearly 60%. Digital buyers chose an average ₹14 lakh sum insured versus ₹12 lakh company-wide, as growth broadened beyond the six largest metros.

— Source publishedWed, 16 Sept, 2026, 10:30 IST·First seen Wed, 16 Sept, 2026, 10:32 IST·Source The Hindu BusinessLine

What happened

Star Health and Allied Insurance · Star Health said its FY26 D2C health-insurance channel grew 38%, led by younger salaried consumers choosing higher coverage.

Key facts

  • 66% of FY26 fresh D2C health-policy customers were below 40
  • Nearly 60% of D2C customers were salaried professionals
  • Average D2C sum insured was ₹14 lakh versus ₹12 lakh company-wide
  • D2C fresh health policies grew 38% year-on-year in FY26
  • 16% of FY26 fresh health-insurance GWP came from D2C

What changed

Star Health said its FY26 D2C health-insurance channel grew 38%, led by younger salaried consumers choosing higher coverage. Growth increasingly came from beyond the top six metros, while the insurer expanded multilingual, AI-supported digital servicing.

Why this matters

Star Health’s 38% FY26 D2C policy growth, 16% contribution to fresh health GWP, and higher-than-average sums insured signal a fast-scaling, potentially higher-value digital mix.

What to watch

  • D2C renewal and 13th-month persistency versus agent-sourced business.
  • Digital customer-acquisition cost, payback period and share of assisted conversions.
  • Average sum insured and rider attachment rates for D2C cohorts.
  • D2C penetration outside major metros and regional conversion rates.
  • Claims ratios, complaint rates and turnaround times for digitally acquired policies.