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HEALTH INSURANCE PLANNING

How much health insurance do you really need?

There is no magic number that works for everyone. The right amount of health insurance depends on your family, age, healthcare needs, existing coverage and the kind of financial protection you want.

Your Health Cover Think beyond the premium
Example Sum Insured ₹10 Lakh

The right amount depends on your situation.

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Family
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Healthcare
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Budget

The goal isn't to buy the biggest policy.

The goal is to have enough protection so that a major medical expense does not completely disrupt your savings, investments and other financial goals.

Think in levels, not one magic number.

Your ideal health cover can change as your life changes.

₹5L

A Starting Point

For some individuals or families, this may provide a starting level of protection. Whether it is enough depends on the person, location, healthcare costs and policy terms.

₹10L

A Larger Safety Net

A higher sum insured can provide a larger buffer against hospitalisation expenses, subject to the policy's terms, limits and exclusions.

₹15L+

More Protection

Higher coverage may be considered by families with greater healthcare needs, higher incomes or a desire for a larger financial safety net.

What should decide your health cover?

Don't choose your sum insured randomly. Start with the things that can actually change your financial exposure.

01

Family Size

More people sharing a policy can mean a greater need to think carefully about whether the available sum insured is sufficient.

02

Age

Healthcare requirements and potential medical expenses can change significantly with age.

03

Parents' Coverage

Parents may have different healthcare needs from younger family members, so their coverage deserves separate attention.

04

City & Healthcare Costs

Medical costs can vary by location, hospital and treatment. Consider the healthcare environment around you.

05

Existing Insurance

If you already have employer or personal health insurance, consider how much additional protection may be required.

06

Your Financial Capacity

The premium should fit comfortably within your financial plan while still providing meaningful protection.

Imagine your savings had to pay the entire hospital bill.

That's the risk health insurance is designed to help manage.

A ₹12 lakh hospitalisation.

Suppose your family faces an eligible hospitalisation expense of ₹12 lakh and your available health insurance coverage is ₹5 lakh.

The gap could matter.

This is why choosing the sum insured should involve more than simply asking, “What is the cheapest policy?”

Don't forget the policy fine print.

A ₹10 lakh sum insured does not automatically mean every ₹10 lakh of medical expense will be payable. Waiting periods, exclusions, deductibles, co-payment, sub-limits, room-rent conditions and other policy terms can affect claims. Always read the specific policy wording before making a purchase decision.

What matters most in your situation?

Tap a factor to see how it can influence your thinking.

Family

When multiple family members share coverage, consider whether the sum insured would remain adequate if more than one person needed treatment during the policy period.

Health insurance questions, answered.

There is no universal answer. It depends on factors such as age, family size, healthcare costs, existing coverage, health needs and financial capacity. For some people it may be a starting point, while others may need more.
It may provide a meaningful level of protection for some families, but the appropriate amount depends on the family members, their healthcare needs and the policy structure. Remember that a family floater has a shared sum insured.
Parents can have healthcare needs that differ from younger family members. Separate coverage may be worth considering depending on their age, health profile, existing insurance and available products.
Depending on the insurer and product, you may have options such as increasing coverage at renewal or using an additional policy or top-up structure. Check the specific product terms.
No. Premium is only one factor. Compare coverage, exclusions, waiting periods, co-payment, deductibles, sub-limits, room-rent conditions, network hospitals and other policy features.

Don't ask, “What's the cheapest cover?” Ask, “Would my family be comfortable if something happened?”

The right health insurance is about protecting more than a hospital bill. It is about protecting the financial plan behind your family.

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