With increasing healthcare costs, you should stay financially protected to deal with medical emergencies. The super top-up plan is an affordable way to make provisions for an additional sum insured if your regular health plan has low coverage. You can decide whether you would like to buy it through the online or offline method. While the offline method allows you face time with insurance company representatives, the online method is easier, convenient and does not need you to step out of the comfort of your home. Read on to know the process of buying a policy online in detail.
Here’s an example of how you can buy a super top-up plan with existing health insurance. Suppose you already have an existing health insurance plan with a sum insured of Rs 5 lakh. You decide to buy a top-up plan of Rs 10 lakh and increase the total sum insured. The total sum insured amount now is Rs 15 lakh with a set limit of Rs 5 lakh. In case your hospitalisation cost is Rs 10 lakh, your insurer will pay Rs 5 lakh from the regular plan. You can pay the extra Rs 5 lakh from your top-up plan after paying the deductibles.
The steps for buying a super top-up policy online comprise:
- Choose your insurer
Numerous insurers are offering super top-up plans but you have to choose the one who fulfils your requirements. You must go through the features, terms and conditions and exclusions of the policy before finalising from whom to buy.
- Select the web platform for insurance purchase
There are several insurance companies as well as quotes comparison websites. But you should buy from the individual insurer’s website as the policy terms are more clearly given and you can get online support from the insurer’s end. You may also get certain discounts from the insurer if you buy the policy online.
- Fill up the application form
You can fill up the application form online or download and upload it later as per the given instructions. Put in the correct details such as your name, age, city, mobile number, number of members to be covered, annual income, occupation etc. Do not worry about confidentiality. Renowned insurance company websites have proper data security measures.
- Check eligibility
If you are buying the plan for yourself, you have to be at least 18 years old. Check the conditions for individual and floater policies, the deductibles and the sum insured. A deductible is a cost that you have to pay out of your pocket. The rest of the expenses would be taken care of by your insurer. If you or any of your family members suffer from any pre-existing illness, there would be a waiting period. Check if it suits you.
- Online calculator
An online calculator would help you calculate the exact amount of premium, taxes, charges, etc. that you have to pay towards the insurance policy. You will find it on the insurer’s website. Just enter the asked-for details for the result.
- Get the quote
After getting an idea of what would be the quote from the calculator, generate the actual premium amount on the insurer’s website.
- Get help
If you have doubts at any step, you can request a call or chat online with the support department of the insurance company. The call centre staff would get in touch with you to help you out.
- Payment
If you are okay with the premium amount, then complete the process by paying for the policy with your preferred online payment mode. You can use a credit or debit card, net banking option, mobile wallets etc.
- Policy copy
Once the insurer approves your payment, the digitally signed policy would be generated instantly. You will get a soft copy at your registered mail address also. Save a copy on your smartphone for easy reference anytime.
In the online process, you may have to submit soft copies of certain documents if you are buying a standalone super top-up plan or from a new insurer. If you are buying from the same insurer with whom you have a basic policy, you may not need to submit them again. Though the number of documents would vary between insurers, there are some standard proofs that you have to upload on the insurer’s website. These are:
- Age proof
You can submit any of the following documents—Aadhaar Card, passport, birth certificate, Pan Card or driving licence.
- Identity proof
Documents such as voter ID card, passport, Aadhaar Card, or driving licence.
- Address Proof
Your insurer will need this to send various communications to your postal address. You can upload a soft copy of your ration card, driving licence, passport, rent agreement, Aadhaar Card, utility bills such as electricity bill, telephone bill etc.
- Passport-size photographs
You may have to upload soft copies, so keep them handy.
- Medical reports
If you or any of your family members are suffering from any pre-existing illness, the insurer may demand the medical history or related reports.
A super top-up health insurance plan is essential when the sum insured amount of your basic policy is low. The process of online buying is simple and you can log in and complete the purchase at a suitable time. There is no requirement for a hard copy of the documents, saving you time and money. So, buy a super top-up policy online and stay financially protected with wider health insurance coverage.