Renewal Of Health Insurance: Benefits And Points To Consider

Health insurance plans come with a pre-fixed tenure, after which they need to be renewed. Non-renewal causes the policies to lapse, and consequently, all the benefits available with them cease to be valid. 

Hence, it is crucial to opt for health insurance renewal on time and enjoy continuous coverage benefits. Further, a policyholder becomes ineligible to avail of no claim bonus benefits if his/her health insurance policy lapses. 

Benefits of Health Insurance Renewal on Time

Timely health insurance renewal presents a slew of benefits to policyholders. Following is a glance at such benefits:

Continuous coverage

Accidents and illnesses can occur at any time. A lapse in the insurance policy may make it difficult to cover the expenses arising in due course of seeking treatment. 

Tax benefits

Purchasing any health insurance plan makes you eligible for tax relief under section 80D of the Income Tax Act 1961. It is important to have a valid insurance policy in place to maximise savings in the long run. The tax deductions available are as follows:

Conditions	Tax Deductions (in Rs.)
Insured person and Family (members under 60 years)	25,000
Insured person + Family + Parents (members under 60 years)	25,000 + 25,000 = 50,000
Self, Family (all members below 60 years), Parents (above 60 years)	25,000 + 50,000 = 75,000
Self, Family (eldest member above 60 years), and Parents (Senior Citizen)	50,000 + 50,000 = 1,00,000

To continue availing of such tax benefits as mentioned below, you should renew health insurance on time.

No Claim Bonus benefits

No Claim Bonus (NCB) is a benefit offered to insured individuals for every claim-free year. I a policyholder does not raise any claim during a given year, he/she can enjoy a higher sum insured or discounts on the policy premium in the subsequent year.

How to Complete Health Insurance Renewal Online?

Health insurance renewal can be made easy and simple when the process is completed online. Follow these steps below to complete insurance renewal online:

• First, check the insurer’s official website.
• Now, visit the mediclaim renewal section.
• Provide your registered phone number last and medical insurance policy number.
• Check details about policy details and its renewal premium.
• You can pay the premium using your debit or credit card or net banking.

The policy will be renewed in mere minutes.

Points to Remember Before Medical Insurance Policy Renewal

While renewing your insurance policy, consider the following pointers:

Insurance requirements

You must renew your policy based on certain requirements. Insurance requirements for family and self should be given priority during policy renewal. In case of a newborn or new disease, you must contact an insurer for added coverage.

Portability option 

IRDAI allows insured persons to port their plans if they are not happy with their current policy and benefits. However, this facility is available only 45 days ahead of policy expiration. You can enjoy this facility without losing any claim bonus or waiting period benefits. So, if you are unhappy with your current insurance plan, look for this option during renewal.

Check policy renewal terms 

All insurance providers will intimate insured persons with a renewal reminder email 45 days before the policy expiry date. You must check details such as – the number of claims, claim types, and such. After checking all details, if you find any discrepancy, make sure to contact your service provider.

Sum insured revision 

It is possible to revise a policy’s sum insured amount only during renewal. In addition to this, you can extend your health insurance coverage through an add-on cover if a policy provider allows it.

Tips to Renew Health Insurance Online

Remember renewal date 

You must remember your policy renewal due date. If you miss the due date, the insurer will provide a 15-30 days grace period to pay up the premium amount. On further failure in paying the premium, your policy will lapse. You will lose all the benefits.

Read all policy terms carefully 

A policyholder must be thorough with all the clauses, terms and conditions.

Reveal illnesses during renewal 

For a hassle-free claim process, make sure to declare your medical details during renewal as well.

Opt for a higher sum insured 

You can opt for a higher sum insured amount during health insurance renewal. To extend coverage beyond the maximum limit, opt for a top-up or a super top-up insurance policy.

With Navi health insurance policies, renewal takes only a few minutes. Download the Navi app to enjoy a completely paperless process. 

Final Word

A health insurance policy ensures financial safety for individuals in the face of medical emergencies. It is, therefore, pertinent to ensure that such policies get renewed on time. Opt for policy renewal well before they lapse to enjoy continued coverage! download the Navi App and buy a health insurance plan with premiums starting as low as INR 241. 

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