New Delhi, Nov. 7 -- With Diwali celebrations bringing families together, health protection deserves as much attention as festive shopping and financial planning. For people living in cities that regularly experience poor air quality, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory infections can be a particular concern, especially as pollution levels rise during the winter months.

While health insurance can help cover the financial burden of hospitalisation due to respiratory complications, policyholders should not assume that every pollution-related medical expense will be reimbursed.

Shrish Mahuli, Chief Business Officer at SBI General Insurance, said claims arising from ...