The Right Process to Buy Health Insurance Online

With only about 18 percent of the urban population in India covered under any kind of health insurance scheme, it is evident that health insurance is the most neglected insurance policy in India. But, with the constant rise in health disorders and medical costs, having the right health insurance plan in place is a prerequisite for everyone, irrespective of their age.

The benefits of buying online insurance policies are undeniable. Whether you are looking to save on your premiums or looking to compare features before you buy, buying health insurance online is your best bet. At the end of the day, it is your hard-earned money, so why not maximize the benefits by buying online?

If you are buying health insurance online, here is how you should go about it: -

Step 1: Know Your Needs

The first step in buying insurance, whether individual or family health insurance, is assessing your requirements. Find a health plan that will secure you against a wide range of medical needs, including hospitalization, transportation, critical illnesses that you may be at risk of due to your family's medical history, etc. If you are buying family health insurance, check whether the health plan meets the needs of each of the members in your family. The best thing about buying online is that you can compare plans while buying; so apply a little due diligence, and you will easily find the best plan that caters to your needs.

Step 2: Plan a Budget

Having a budget for policy purchase is another important aspect of the equation. You can consider a low-priced health plan, but before you do that, consider the reduction in benefits as well. If you buy a really easy-on-your-pocket health plan that doesn’t properly cover your health care needs, then the whole purpose of purchasing health insurance is defeated. Hence, when planning a budget, look at the broader picture, and keep both premiums and the policy coverage in mind.

Step 3: Look for a health plan that includes your preferred hospitals and doctors

Once you have a list of the best health plans for you, the next important step is to check whether or not your preferred hospitals and doctors are included in their hospital network. If you go to a hospital or doctor who is outside your provider’s network, it might cost you more, and the turnaround times on claim reimbursements may also be higher.

Step 4: Look for the illnesses covered under the plan

We may not realize it, but a byproduct of our sedentary lifestyle is our higher susceptibility to life-threatening ailments like cancer and cardiovascular disease, among others. Make sure to opt for a health insurance policy that has extensive provisions for covering such conditions.

Step 5: And finally, shop from a reputed provider

When buying health insurance online, you need to be sure that the provider is reliable and is preferred by insurance buyers. For that, you can check the claim settlement ratios and read online reviews about the provider, to make an informed decision.

Lower premiums with a high sum insured and better coverage is the most ideal combination when it comes to Health Insurance. Considering that all this comes without the hassle of visiting a provider or coordinating with an insurance agent, buying health insurance online saves a lot of your time.

Don’t just buy any Health Insurance policy; buy the right one.

**To understand exactly about the policy coverage, exclusions, etc. read the Policy Wordings carefully.**