Mr.Ramesh Arvindan asked me "Sir, I want to buy a Health Insurance. I have high Blood Pressure (BP) problem which is however under control with medications and diet. Do I have to declare the same while taking the Policy"?
SRIKANTH SHANKAR MATRUBAI advises :
Mr.Ramesh Arvindan,
It is in your best interest to declare all the health related problems which you are having now and also the ones which you had previously while taking a Health Insurance Policy. This will avoid any future problem when there is a claim.
Suppose you take the Health Insurance without declaring the related health related issues and you get the Health Insurance policy without any Medical tests, especially if you are in lower age group now; in future, if and when you get hospitilised, it is imperative that you disclose all the past medical issues you have to go to the Doctor for proper diagnosis and prompt treatment. Now, the Doctor will mention all this in the Discharge Summary. The Health Insurance Company will now get to know that you had avoided the disclosure of material facts while taking the policy and thus will have all the right to reject your claim.
Thus, for a Tension free life, it is in your best interests to disclose all the medical related issues while taking the Health Insurance policy.
Yes, the Health Insurance may reject giving you a policy or increase the Premium, but at least you can be sure that your claim will be settled. Just to save few hundred rupees, it is not wise to avoid disclosing any medical issues.
It will then become a classic case of PENNY WISE POUND FOOLISH or in Indian language, PAISA WISE RUPEE FOOLISH.
Do ensure that your existing disease is filled in the Insurance Proposal Form.
Also, please note all Insurance companies do cover existing ailments after waiting period (though this varies from one insurer to another).
And, yes, some companies do also cover existing diseases depending on case to case.
Most importantly you should also note that it is in your interest to renew your Policy every year to reap the continuity benefits wherein cover for pre-existing diseases are provided.
Note, that if you contact any medical complication after taking the Health Insurance policy, it is not necessary to inform the Company. But for fresh Insurance Policy, it is in your BEST interest to disclose all the facts.
Ultimately, it is in the best interest of the policy holder to follow all the procedures and stick to rules given in the insurance document and not give the Insurance company a chance to reject your claim. Since then, the Regulator, IRDA would step in to protect your rights if the Insurer has rejected your claim wrongly.
Regards,
Srikanth Shankar Matrubai
SRIKANTH SHANKAR MATRUBAI advises :
Mr.Ramesh Arvindan,
It is in your best interest to declare all the health related problems which you are having now and also the ones which you had previously while taking a Health Insurance Policy. This will avoid any future problem when there is a claim.
Suppose you take the Health Insurance without declaring the related health related issues and you get the Health Insurance policy without any Medical tests, especially if you are in lower age group now; in future, if and when you get hospitilised, it is imperative that you disclose all the past medical issues you have to go to the Doctor for proper diagnosis and prompt treatment. Now, the Doctor will mention all this in the Discharge Summary. The Health Insurance Company will now get to know that you had avoided the disclosure of material facts while taking the policy and thus will have all the right to reject your claim.
Thus, for a Tension free life, it is in your best interests to disclose all the medical related issues while taking the Health Insurance policy.
Yes, the Health Insurance may reject giving you a policy or increase the Premium, but at least you can be sure that your claim will be settled. Just to save few hundred rupees, it is not wise to avoid disclosing any medical issues.
It will then become a classic case of PENNY WISE POUND FOOLISH or in Indian language, PAISA WISE RUPEE FOOLISH.
Do ensure that your existing disease is filled in the Insurance Proposal Form.
Also, please note all Insurance companies do cover existing ailments after waiting period (though this varies from one insurer to another).
And, yes, some companies do also cover existing diseases depending on case to case.
Most importantly you should also note that it is in your interest to renew your Policy every year to reap the continuity benefits wherein cover for pre-existing diseases are provided.
Note, that if you contact any medical complication after taking the Health Insurance policy, it is not necessary to inform the Company. But for fresh Insurance Policy, it is in your BEST interest to disclose all the facts.
Ultimately, it is in the best interest of the policy holder to follow all the procedures and stick to rules given in the insurance document and not give the Insurance company a chance to reject your claim. Since then, the Regulator, IRDA would step in to protect your rights if the Insurer has rejected your claim wrongly.
Regards,
Srikanth Shankar Matrubai
