GENERAL INSURANCE BLOG

Health insurance policies now come with the portability feature in which you can transfer your current health insurance policy to a new service provider, subject to certain terms and conditions. You may look to port your policy for several reasons, such as poor service quality, a slow claim settlement process, higher premiums, and room rent restrictions.

Your NCB (No-claim bonus) amount accrued to date is also transferred along with the policy. Moreover, the waiting period served to date with the existing insurance provider is also considered and adjusted with the new company.

Here’s a complete guide to making the portability of health insurance policies clearer.

1. Eligibility and charges:
Individuals with an active indemnity-based health insurance policy are eligible for the portability process. But the porting can be done only with a similar health insurance policy.
For example, we can port a top-up insurance plan to another similar plan only. There are no additional charges for the portability feature in a health insurance policy.

2. Portability time:
The option of portability of your health insurance policy is only available at the time of the renewal. The policy must be running continuously over time, without any break-in period.
Moreover, any insured should apply for portability of his policy at least 45 days before the premium gets due for renewal. Also, he cannot apply earlier than 60 days from the renewal date of the premium of his existing health insurance policy.

3. Portability benefits:
Portability of time-bound exclusions and the waiting period already served with the current insurance service provider gets transferred to the new policy. Other benefits, such as accrued NCB (No-claim Bonus), also get ported.

4. Pending acceptance:
Suppose the health insurance portability acceptance is pending with the new insurance service provider, and your policy expires with the current insurance provider. In that case, the new insurer can request the previous one to renew the policy for a few days. They will charge a pro-rata premium for that period to extend the policy validity.
Your current insurer cannot cancel your policy until the new service provider confirms the issuance of the new policy or a specific request to your current insurer is made to cancel your policy.
If you raise a claim in this extended period, your existing health insurance company can agree to settle the claim after you pay the balance premium for that full year. Also, you will have to continue with that insurer for that year.

5. Higher SI (Sum Insured):
Opting for a higher SI or sum insured is permitted when porting your health insurance. However, the existing benefits, such as the NCB, will be the same as per the terms of the existing service provider when porting the policy.

6. Waiting period:
You need to be careful with the waiting periods offered by the new insurance company. All the terms and conditions of the new insurance company are applicable to the policy after you make the shift, including additional waiting periods, if any. However, the waiting period served under the current insurance policy will count and be adjusted with the new insurance company.

7. Group health insurance policy:
Suppose you are a part of a group policy and intend to change the service provider. In that case, you can do it by migrating to an individual health insurance policy with the same insurance company. You can then start the porting of your policy to another insurance company.

The portability of health insurance policies is a favourable option provided by the IRDAI. Being a valued customer, you have the right to receive the best services from your insurance provider. You can always port your health insurance to a better insurer if your current insurance company fails to provide adequate services.

Browse through all the available options and substitutes for your existing policy. It is preferred to opt for online health insurance, understand the terms and conditions of different options, and choose the best one for you!

Click HERE to buy online health insurance.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Health insurance policies are a useful tool to tide over any medical contingencies. It is essential for people of all ages, especially senior citizens, to purchase individual or family health insurance that can cover expenses incurred due to hospitalisation or any other allied medical costs. Its importance is only increasing as the medical inflation trends in India increase each year.

We know that age increases the risk of hospitalisation and medical expenses. This creates the necessity to purchase the best-suited comprehensive plan for senior citizens in the family. This article discusses the ideal period for filing a senior citizen’s claim and the time it takes to settle.

The ideal period for filing health insurance claims:

The period of filing the claim is essential in determining the time it requires for processing. Therefore, one must take all the necessary measures to facilitate a speedy claim settlement to benefit from the insurance policy.

Ideally, the insured should file their claim within two weeks for reimbursement claims. This is not a general time frame, as different policies have different time limits. However, claims filed after two weeks of hospitalisation are likely to be rejected or settled later, depending on the case.

Average health insurance claim settlement time:

As per the surveys and research done by the insurance industry, health insurance claims made by senior citizens take 28 days to settle compared to claims made by policyholders younger than 60 years, which take 23.2 days. These results have stirred up interest in the discussion to find the cause behind the delay.

The surveys also state that even the proportion of claim settlements is lower concerning specific conditions like diarrhoea, cancer, or prostate enlargement. However, it is the opposite when related to coronary heart disease. While this may seem alarming to those who have purchased health insurance in India for parents over 60 years, there are simple ways to avoid this.

1. What causes the delay in claim settlement for senior citizens?
The primary cause for the delay in claim processing is the delay in filing a claim. It is essential to ensure that the claim is filed and processed at the earliest opportunity. The findings state that senior citizens may take a while to file claims for numerous reasons, which may cause delays. To avoid late results, senior citizens must file a claim within a week or two and get assured of timely action.

2. A simple tip to ensure timely claim settlement:
It is often seen that young adults purchase health insurance in India for parents not just to protect them from bearing the burden of substantial medical bills but also to file for tax deductions.
However, to claim its primary benefit, it is essential to file claims on time. Since the elderly may require more time to do so, help from the hospital, staff, or relatives to file the claim in time will ensure that it is settled within 23.2 days instead of 28 days.

Carefully read the terms and conditions of health insurance in India for parents that specify information dedicated to senior citizens about the different inclusions and exclusions of the policy. Since medical bills and the risk of falling ill are greater at older ages, it is necessary to be fully aware of the benefits of different policies and file claims within the stipulated period. Help the senior citizens with a good life and healthy well-being!

Click HERE to buy the best health insurance in India

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Irrespective of age, health is easily one of the most overlooked aspects that are ironically detrimental to the quality of one's life. A few decades ago, maintaining health was not a matter of discussion as it is now, mainly because of the outbreak of viral infections, lack of exercise, and poor eating habits.

People of all age groups face health issues, the old due to their age and the young due to stress. The inconsistent lifestyles have become an open invitation to several health problems. And, as the severity of health conditions increases, it impacts your finances.

In unforeseen situations where you or your family may require to be hospitalised, a health insurance policy for family protects you from the rapidly rising medical cost. Managing finances during health emergencies can be daunting, but with the right insurance plan, you can handle everything well.

While it may seem complicated, keeping these factors in mind can help you buy the best-suited health insurance policy for family!

The need for family health insurance:

While most look at a health insurance policy for family as a means to claim tax deductions, it serves a far greater purpose. Medical emergencies are not preplanned, and without a comprehensive health insurance policy, you will have to pay for the expenses out of pocket.

These medical bills are almost in large amounts that are sure to vent your savings massively. Instead, upon paying a comparatively minimal premium annually, you can protect your spouse, children, parents, and parents-in-law under the same policy that covers any possible medical expenses.

How to decide on policy coverage:

While a health insurance policy for family is a one-stop solution to cover the entire family, it may not be enough based on your situation. If you are newlyweds or a young family, a family floater plan may suffice for your case.

Since medical emergencies are relatively infrequent at a young age, the premium is lower, and the cover is adequate. With time, as your family grows and the insured members' age increases, it is essential to take out individual insurance specifically catering to their health needs.

How much should your policy be for?

As medical inflation continues to rise, adjustments need to be made to these figures to accommodate any potential situations where a claim may need to be made. A cover of 5 lakhs should be the minimum for families with young adults. Since risks are fewer at this stage, premiums are also lower, and the amount is adequate to cover general medical bills.

With the increase in the insured members' age, the policy amount and premiums also increase. However, they do not rise proportionately, making it easier to purchase a higher-value plan at a relatively low increase in the annual premium amount. It is also necessary to factor in living costs and adjust these figures accordingly.

What is covered, and what is excluded?

While they are a convenient means of protecting your entire family without having to pay individual premiums for every member, there are certain exclusions to a health insurance policy for family that you must be aware of.

They generally include psychiatric medical expenses, provide annual health check-ups to all covered members, and even cover maternity-related costs. However, babies younger than 91 days and children over the age of 18 years cannot be included under family floaters. It also excludes any pre-existing medical conditions for which a separate cover needs to be purchased. Health insurance policy for family also has a waiting period, during which the insurance providers do not compensate for any expenses incurred.

A health insurance policy for family is a straightforward tool that protects your entire family at a low premium value from any medical contingencies. By attentively checking the inclusions and exclusions of the policy, one can ensure comprehensive cover for their family to combat health emergencies without any worries about finances.

Click HERE to buy the best health insurance policy for family.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.

Recently, the discussion about money management and growing wealth has taken centre stage. In the background of the pandemic, layoffs were causing concern while freelancing and remote online jobs boomed, providing people of all ages a chance to make money. Despite the opportunities and rising wages for specialised jobs, the risk of recession and inflation is still present.

In such an environment, simply making ends meet is not enough. Individuals need to save and purchase general insurance for future contingencies.
Saving and personal financial management may seem complicated. Still, with some planning and habitual implementation, you can make an emergency fund, plan for your wants and invest without compromising on your present or future aspirations!

1. Make your budget:
Our first tip would be to prepare a budget that makes you aware of your expenses and income. Your budget is a combination of your income and expenses for a period. Ideally, your income should be more than your expenses at all times, and it is recommended to have more than one source of income.
Once you have your budget, do not make excuses for your financial position. Numbers do not lie, and your reasons will not reverse your situation but can help you plan better in the future.

2. Set aside a savings fund:
Consciously putting aside money from your income as savings is difficult as the temptation to splurge on impulse shopping is at its peak when you first get your paycheck. To resist such temptations, set up a separate bank account for savings.
Schedule an automatic transfer from your monthly salary immediately after it gets credited into your account. This way, you don't need to take time and decide to save; it just gets done automatically!

3. Purchase general insurance:
If there's one expense you must undertake at all times, irrespective of your income and expenses, it is general insurance. General insurance covers your property, health, and vehicles against unintended harm caused by many factors.
The lack of a general insurance policy is bound to pinch your wallet as the burden of compensating for the damages ends on your shoulders. Online health insurance, travel insurance, motor insurance, home insurance, and commercial insurance fall under this umbrella. Some of these are tax exempt, which can help you reduce your taxable income and pay reduced taxes.

4. Consciously use a credit card:
A credit card is an excellent monetary tool that gets a lot of flak for being mismanaged by individuals with no financial discipline. Credit cards are instruments that facilitate credit-taking and make it highly accessible, which tempts many people and ends up leaving them in a cycle of debt.
If you lack financial discipline, immediately cancel your credit cards and dispose of them. If you have credit card loans, focus on repaying them as early as possible. Use a credit card to purchase items that you know you can repay within the month.

5. Pay recurring bills on time:
Services billed monthly, like electricity, internet subscriptions, etc., can become a significant expense if not paid before the due date. Often, people forget dues, and these dues snowball into a much more considerable amount than the original sum. If it is an unnecessary expense, consider cutting it out before it piles up. If you need it, try scheduling an automatic payment to prevent paying interest on dues.

Savings and financial planning are not habits that are developed overnight. They require conscious planning and continued discipline to build. However, simple tips like directing your income towards investments, and savings before considering expenses can help inculcate sound financial habits.

Insurance is an all-time favourite tax-saving financial instrument and a beneficial liability to undertake healthy life and manage funds smartly. A wise decision will be to purchase online health insurance or other general insurance plans to make the process less hectic and more rewarding. The more you value your finances, the better your lifestyle will be.

Click HERE to buy online health insurance.

Disclaimer: The information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. To get more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before purchasing a policy.