Health Insurance
Health insurance is a policy that pays your hospital bills (or settles them directly with the hospital, cashless) when you need medical treatment, so a sudden illness or accident does not wipe out your savings. You pay an annual premium, and in return the insurer covers hospitalisation costs up to your chosen sum insured. Buying through Assurmate, a trusted insurance advisory with 75+ insurance partners, means you get free, unbiased advice plus full claims support.
What it is
Health insurance is an annual contract between you and an insurer. In exchange for a yearly premium, the insurer agrees to pay for covered medical expenses such as hospital room charges, doctor fees, surgery, diagnostics and medicines, up to a maximum amount called the sum insured. Most plans offer cashless treatment at network hospitals, where the insurer settles the bill directly, so you do not have to arrange large sums during an emergency.
You can buy an individual policy that covers one person, or a family floater that covers your whole family under a single shared sum insured. Cover, sub-limits, waiting periods and exclusions vary by insurer and policy wording, which is exactly why comparing plans before you buy matters.
Who needs it
Practically every individual and family in India benefits from health insurance, because hospital costs have been rising faster than general inflation and a single serious illness can drain years of savings. It is especially important for salaried professionals whose employer cover may be limited or end when they change jobs, for self-employed people and SME owners who have no corporate cover at all, for young families planning for children, and for anyone with ageing parents. The earlier you buy, the lower your premium and the sooner you clear the waiting periods that apply to pre-existing conditions and certain treatments.
What's covered
- Cashless hospitalisation at 10,000+ network hospitals across India
- In-patient treatment: room rent, ICU, surgeon and doctor fees, nursing and medicines
- Pre-hospitalisation expenses (typically 30-60 days before admission)
- Post-hospitalisation expenses (typically 60-90 days after discharge)
- Day-care procedures that need under 24 hours of hospitalisation
- Ambulance charges up to a specified limit per policy wording
- No Claim Bonus that increases your sum insured for every claim-free year
- AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) treatment, subject to policy terms
Typically not covered
- Pre-existing diseases during the initial waiting period (commonly 2-4 years, varies by insurer)
- First 30 days of cover except accidental hospitalisation (initial waiting period)
- Specified illnesses with their own waiting period, such as cataract, hernia or knee replacement
- Cosmetic, aesthetic or weight-loss surgery unless medically necessary
- Self-inflicted injuries, and treatment for alcohol or substance abuse
- Dental, spectacles, hearing aids and routine OPD unless a rider is added
- Maternity and related expenses unless specifically covered with a waiting period
Why buy it through Assurmate
Protects your savings
Hospital bills are paid by the insurer up to your sum insured, so an emergency does not force you to break investments or borrow money.
Cashless convenience
At network hospitals the insurer settles the bill directly, so you focus on recovery instead of arranging large payments upfront.
Tax savings under Section 80D
Premiums you pay qualify for a deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, subject to the limits and rules applicable to you.
Sum insured that grows
A No Claim Bonus increases your cover for every claim-free year, giving you more protection at the same premium, as per policy wording.
Unbiased comparison via Assurmate
Our IRDAI-certified advisors compare plans across 75+ insurance partners to find cover that fits your needs and budget, with no loyalty to any single company.
Real support at claim time
Our team helps you with documentation and follows up with the insurer, so you are never left handling a claim alone.
Optional add-ons
- Room rent waiver. Removes the cap on hospital room category so you are not penalised for choosing a higher room, reducing the chance of proportionate deductions.
- Maternity and newborn cover. Covers delivery, related hospitalisation and newborn care after a defined waiting period, useful for couples planning a family.
- OPD and consultation cover. Reimburses out-patient doctor visits, diagnostics and pharmacy bills that normal hospitalisation cover excludes.
- Critical illness rider. Pays a lump sum on diagnosis of listed serious illnesses such as cancer or heart attack, on top of your hospitalisation cover.
- Restore or recharge benefit. Automatically refills your sum insured if it is exhausted during the policy year, so a second claim is still covered.
- Personal accident cover. Provides a lump sum or income benefit in case of death or disability due to an accident, complementing your health plan.
How to buy through us
- 1
Share your needs
Tell us who needs cover, your budget and any existing health conditions so we understand your requirement clearly.
- 2
Compare options
We compare plans from 75+ insurance partners and explain the differences in cover, waiting periods and price in plain language.
- 3
Buy with confidence
Choose the plan that fits you, complete the simple application, and pay securely to start your cover.
- 4
Lifelong support
We stay with you for renewals and, most importantly, guide you through every claim from documentation to settlement.
Health Insurance questions
The things people ask us most about this cover.
An individual plan gives each person their own sum insured, while a family floater covers the whole family under one shared sum insured. A floater is usually cheaper for young families, but a large claim by one member reduces the cover available to the others for that year.
Cashless means that when you are treated at a hospital in the insurer's network, the insurer settles the eligible bill directly with the hospital. You only pay for items that are not covered, such as deductibles, non-medical items or amounts above your sum insured.
Insurers apply a waiting period (commonly 2-4 years, varies by insurer) before covering conditions you already had when buying the policy. Buying early and renewing continuously helps you clear these waiting periods sooner.
For every year you do not make a claim, many policies increase your sum insured by a set percentage without raising your premium, up to a maximum. The exact bonus and cap vary by insurer and policy wording.
Yes, health insurance premiums generally qualify for a deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. The exact limit depends on the ages of those insured and your tax situation, so check the current rules that apply to you.
Assurmate's IRDAI-certified advisors compare 75+ insurance partners to find the right fit rather than promoting one company. Our advice is free and conflict-free, and we provide hands-on support if you ever need to make a claim, all at the same premium you would pay directly.
Related cover
Family Floater Health Insurance
One policy, one premium that covers your entire family under a shared sum insured.
Explore coverSenior Citizen Health Insurance
Specialised health cover for parents and elders aged 60+ with higher entry-age limits.
Explore coverCritical Illness Insurance
A lump-sum payout on diagnosis of cancer, heart attack, stroke and other major illnesses.
Explore coverNot sure if Health Insurance is right for you?
Tell us a little about your situation and an advisor will recommend the best-fit cover across 75+ insurance partners — free and unbiased.
Request a free callback
Share a few details and an advisor will reach out, usually the same day.