Renewing your health insurance shouldn’t be a rushed decision. Whether your policy is expiring or up for annual renewal, taking a few minutes to review your plan could save you money, improve your coverage, and help avoid unpleasant surprises during medical emergencies.
Here’s your essential health insurance renewal checklist - designed to help you renew smartly and confidently
Review Your Current Coverage
Start by going through your current policy:
- Sum Insured: Is the coverage amount still enough considering rising medical costs?
- Sub-Limits & Room Rent Cap: Ensure your policy doesn’t have limitations that might restrict your hospital benefits.
- Add-Ons: Check if you added maternity cover, critical illness, or OPD benefits. Do you still need them?
Check Claim History & No Claim Bonus (NCB)
If you haven’t made any claims:
- You might be eligible for a No Claim Bonus, which increases your sum insured at no extra cost.
- Review your insurer’s NCB structure before renewing. Some insurers offer up to 100% enhancement in coverage.
Compare Premiums Across Insurers
Don’t blindly renew with your current insurer:
- Use PolicyBachat’s comparison tool to check if a better deal is available.
- Look for lower premiums, wider hospital networks, or faster claim settlement ratios.
Verify Network Hospitals & Cashless Facility
Make sure your preferred hospitals are part of the insurer's network hospital list:
- Cashless treatment is only available at network hospitals.
- New insurers may offer a larger cashless network that suits your city or area better.
Update Family Details if Required
Have you had:
- A newborn child?
- A dependent aging into adulthood?
- A change in marital status?
Make sure your family floater plan reflects all updates. Adjust sum insured as needed.
Check for Waiting Periods & Pre-existing Conditions
If you’re switching policies:
- Ensure pre-existing condition waiting periods are carried forward using portability.
- Recheck exclusions and waiting times, especially for maternity, diabetes, or hypertension.
Use Policy Portability if Needed
You can port your policy to another insurer without losing benefits like NCB or waiting periods - as long as:
- You apply at least 45 days before renewal.
- You disclose all details honestly.
Set Reminders for Next Year
Once renewed:
- Set a calendar reminder 45 days before next renewal.
- Keep policy documents and e-cards handy.
- Make a note of any new inclusions or exclusions.
Final Thoughts
Health insurance renewal isn’t just a formality - it’s a chance to upgrade your protection and savings. Use this checklist each year to stay ahead of the curve.
And if you’re not sure what’s best?
Get expert advice and quotes instantly at PolicyBachat.com.