The recently concluded International Purple Fest 2025 in Goa was an inspiring milestone – a celebration of unity and diversity, but most importantly, a call to action for true inclusion. As a financial consultant I feel that focusing on why the right to insurance for persons with disabilities (PwDs) is not just a matter of policy but of justice and belonging.
The festival transformed Goa into a vibrant example of accessibility and social progress. From mesmerising art installations and performances by artists to visionary addresses by national leaders, every moment underscored that PwDs deserve respect, not charity. The conversations at the festival spanned accessible education, adaptive sports and technology, policy frameworks, and powerful personal stories – reinforcing the principle that everyone deserves equal opportunity, not just physical access.
Sessions highlighted the real stories and needs of PwDs and their families – passionate dialogues on healthcare, skills development, and the need for financial security. These discussions moved me, especially as I’ve witnessed firsthand how medical emergencies create profound challenges for even the most resilient families.
The right to insurance: In my practice, I see every day how vital it is for PwDs and their families to have reliable financial safety nets. Medical emergencies don’t discriminate, and the costs of therapies, devices, and ongoing care for PwDs are often higher and more frequent than the average. Yet, for many families, access to comprehensive insurance remains out of reach.
True inclusion must extend to financial security. PwDs and their families deserve the same protection and peace of mind that health and life insurance bring – covering everything from hospital stays to rehabilitation, assistive technologies, and beyond. It’s not just about ticking the box of ‘coverage’ – it’s about equal dignity and independence.
Progress, policy & changes required: I am encouraged by steps taken by the IRDAI, requiring every insurer to offer at least one policy that covers PwDs, HIV/AIDS, and mental illnesses. The cap on outright rejections and the requirement for fair underwriting is progress. The government schemes like Niramaya provide some respite with no pre-insurance medical tests and the promise of coverage even with pre-existing conditions.
But the reality is sobering. Over 80% of PwDs in India still lack any form of health coverage, mainly due to policy complexity, strict eligibility, or lack of awareness. Sums insured are often too low, many plans have co-pay clauses, and outpatient therapies are frequently excluded. Comprehensive policies with higher limits are a rare privilege, usually reserved for those with milder disabilities and no complications.
Solutions for true inclusion: As a financial consultant, I believe that mainstream insurance should offer policies for all degrees of disability with higher sums insured and wider coverage, including therapies, aids, devices, and mental health. Insurers must simplify documentation, build greater awareness, and expand networks so families aren’t left stranded in medical crises. The sector should innovate: better critical illness, accident, and life cover products for PwDs and their families. Most importantly, we must see insurance as a right, not a concession. Financial safety, dignity, and participation in society should be universal and unconditional.
Purple Fest 2025 renewed my resolve to advocate for true financial inclusion. As consultants, insurers, and citizens, we must champion these reforms – to ensure every person, regardless of ability or circumstance, has the protection and dignity of comprehensive insurance coverage. Let us make insurance for PwDs not just a legal mandate, but a lived reality – for the betterment of our society as a whole.
(The writer is the founder of ‘Investment Options’, an insurance and investment consultancy based in Goa since 2013, having pan-India clientele)
