New to health insurance? start here
Buying health insurance for the first time can be confusing. But understanding a few key terms, features and options to choose can help you choose the right plan.
Sum InsuredSum Insured - Choose the right coverage amount
The sum insured is the maximum amount your insurance will pay for medical expenses in a year.
When choosing coverage, think about:
ExampleIn metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore, a single hospitalization can drain your long-term savings.
₹15–20 lakh
Good starting point for families in metro cities
₹8–10 lakh
Suitable cover for smaller cities
Note: Medical costs increase every year, so choosing a higher cover today can protect you in the future.
Important features your plan should have
Some features are essential in most good health insurance plans.
Must-have features
- Cashless treatment at network hospitals
- Coverage for expenses before and after hospitalization
- Coverage for day-care procedures (treatments that don't need 24-hour admission)
- No restrictions on room rent
Useful as per needs
- Maternity and newborn cover / vaccinations
- Critical illness cover
- OPD consultations
Good to have
- Free annual health check-ups
- Wellness rewards and discounts
- Restoration benefit of coverage if the sum insured gets exhausted
Co-pay & DeductibleUnderstanding co-payment and deductible
These are two terms that affect how much you pay during a claim.
Co-payment
You pay a fixed percentage of the hospital bill.
ExampleIf your bill is ₹10 lakh and your co-pay is 20%
Deductible
You pay a fixed amount first, and insurance pays the rest.
ExampleIf your deductible is ₹1 lakh and the bill is ₹5 lakh
Common mistakesCommon mistakes first-time buyers make
Avoid these common mistakes when buying health insurance online:
Quick checklist before buying
Before purchasing a plan, check these important points:
Claims & Access
List of network hospitals near youClaim settlement record of the insurerWaiting period for existing illnesses