Did you know that 50% of medical expenses in India are made out of pocket? Health insurance is a great way of getting financial support during medical emergencies. However, many Indians do not have health insurance due to a lack of awareness and the belief that insurance is expensive.
With some simple tricks, you can get health insurance at affordable premiums in India without compromising on the coverage provided by your plan.
Key Highlights
- Health insurance protects from rising medical inflation and sudden huge medical expenses. You can save money on health insurance by following simple tips and tricks.
- It is a good idea to get health insurance early in life because premiums are much lower for younger people.
- Choose top-up insurance plans to get extended coverage. You can get a family floater plan to cover your entire family under one plan.
- Claim the tax benefits available on health insurance premiums. You can also get health insurance online and for an extended period to get discounts.
Save on Health Insurance Premiums: Ten Simple Tips
Follow these tips to get affordable health insurance without compromising on the coverage provided.
1. Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
When your lifestyle is healthy, the chances of getting ill are automatically reduced. This way, you would make fewer claims on your health insurance policy. The insurance company would view you as a less risky customer and lower your insurance premium. Try eating balanced meals, focusing on nutrition, and exercising regularly to keep fit.
Also Read: Health Insurance for Smokers- All You Need to Know
2. Get Health Insurance Early in Life
The best way to find affordable health insurance is by getting a policy at a younger age. When you are young, you are less susceptible to getting hospitalised or sick. Insurance companies provide affordable health insurance plans to young people due to the reduced probability of making a claim.
3. Choose Top-up Insurance Plans
Top-up health insurance policies have a smaller sum assured but they provide extended coverage in case your claim exceeds the sum assured. For instance, assume that your policy has a sum assured of ₹10 lakh and a top-up of ₹5 lakh. If your medical expenses total ₹12 lakhs, the first ₹10 lakhs would be covered by your basic plan and the balance of ₹5 lakhs would be covered by the top-up plan. This is a great way to find health insurance at a low premium because the insurance premium is lower compared to a policy having a sum assured of ₹15 lakh.
4. Avoid Making Minor Claims
Don't lodge an insurance claim if the medical cost is easily affordable to you. This saves up your sum assured for a true emergency. Plus, you get to claim the no-claim bonus benefits, which lead to great savings in premiums.
5. Get a Family Floater Plan
A family floater insurance provides coverage to your entire family under one plan. The family members share the coverage provided under the plan. As a result, the premium amount is lower compared to the combined cost of getting independent insurance policies for everyone.
Also Read: Everything You Can Include in Your Family Health Insurance Plan
6. Claim Your Tax Benefits
You can get a tax deduction of up to ₹25,000 on health insurance premiums paid under Section 80 D of the Income Tax Act of 1961. If you are a senior citizen resident in India, you can claim a deduction of up to ₹50,000. Claim this benefit while filing your income tax returns to save your taxes.
7. Lose Weight
Insurance companies link obesity to higher health risks. If you are overweight, the insurance company may provide insurance at a higher premium to compensate for the risk. If you lose some extra weight, you can get cheaper health insurance.
8. Buy Health Insurance Online
When you purchase your health insurance online, you are likely to get health insurance at a lower premium. This happens because the expenses related to intermediaries are eliminated along with the administrative costs of the offline process.
9. Compare Health Insurance Plans Before Buying
You must do thorough research before settling for a health insurance plan. Compare the cost, coverage, and other features of health insurance plans offered by multiple insurance companies. You need to choose a plan that is inexpensive yet offers sufficient coverage for your needs.
Reliance General Insurance offers
health insurance plans starting at ₹243 per month. You can get a plan that covers pre and post-hospitalisation costs, and alternative healthcare costs, and provides cashless treatment benefits and cumulative bonus benefits.
10. Buy Health Insurance for an Extended Period
Generally, health insurance is purchased annually. However, some insurance companies offer discounts on insurance plans with extended duration of 2 to 3 years. This is a great way of getting a cheap insurance plan without compromising the extent of coverage.
Protect Yourself from Rising Medical Costs Without Breaking the Bank
Health insurance protects you from rising medical inflation by covering your medical costs. Some people are deterred from getting health insurance because the premium seems expensive. However, using the simple tips and tricks mentioned above, you can find affordable health insurance policies that provide great coverage.