Planning to take a health insurance? Buy now to meet future needs

Insurers will have to approve claims after the policy is eight years old

• It makes sense to buy health insurance even if you are young.
• After eight years, insurers will have to settle claims within the admissible limits of the insurance product, according to IRDAI’s guidelines on standardisation of terms and clauses 
• This eight-year condition will not, however, apply in case of a proven fraud and permanent exclusions specified in the policy contract
• Ideally, you should buy a health cover of at least Rs 10 lakh for a family of four in a metro, and at least Rs 5 lakh in smaller cities. A higher cover won't hurt, keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation and high medical inflation.
• Super top-ups are a less expensive way to enhance the sum insured.
• Even if you have a health cover provided by office, buy a personal health cover, especially in these times when job security is low.