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In today's time, there has been a rise in the cost of medical care. It is one of the reasons why people prefer buying medical insurance for themselves and their families. Having a health coverage policy ensures that the medical costs do not leave you and your family in a financial crisis. These days, the process of health insurance purchase has become simpler as you can buy medical insurance online or offline as per your requirement.
If you are researching on how to buy the best health insurance, then there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. The policy coverage and premium charged may vary from one insurer to the other. Also, the premium that you need to pay to buy medical insurance online for yourself may differ from your friend’s policy. Many variables affect your medical insurance premium, including age, employment, ethnicity and family medical history.
Let us look at what determines the medical insurance premium:
Age
No wonder, age is one of the most significant factors on how much premium you will have to pay when you buy medical insurance online. The younger you are, the lower the premium you will pay. It is because young adults are at a lower risk of health complications compared to older adults and are much less likely to need preventive treatment. Therefore, it is advised that you buy medical insurance online or offline with adequate cover while you are young.
Smoking Habits
Smoking is highly damaging to health. If you smoke, it increases the odds of facing health challenges, especially those relating to pulmonary and cardiovascular conditions. Your smoking history is considered when you buy medical insurance online or through an agent. Thus, if you smoke, then you may have to pay a higher premium for medical insurance as compared to a non-smoker. Smoking has a similar influence on men and women alike, so gender is not considered as a factor while calculating the premium.
Medical History
If you have a family history of illnesses such as cancer, blood pressure or heart failure, it is more likely that you will seek medical attention for the same in the future. That is why, you would need to pay a higher premium to get adequate insurance coverage. Individuals with a family history related to some specific diseases can also get additional specific coverage, such as cancer insurance.
Job Type
Your profession also plays a part in determining the medical insurance premium. Some professions involve more risk than others, such as those working as firefighters, stuntmen, army officials who are more vulnerable to facing challenges. Hence, they may have to pay more premiums as compared to other occupations as per the terms and conditions of the insurance you choose. But whether you buy medical insurance online or from a local agent, make sure to disclose all details honestly to avoid claim rejection later.
Amount of Sum Assured
Buying medical insurance online gives you the benefit of comparing different plans so that you get the right sum insured at the best premium amount. Sum assured refers to the maximum amount that you can claim from the insurance company in case of a medical emergency. While choosing a higher sum assured may require you to pay a slightly higher premium amount, it will be beneficial for you in the long run. A higher sum assured will ensure that you can receive more significant financial support when you’re facing a severe medical challenge, and do not need to pay from your pocket.
As a rule of thumb, you should buy medical insurance online or offline with the sum assured for which paying the premium would be easy for you. This way, you can have a financial backup for healthcare emergencies.
Investing in medical insurance is one of the most prudent decisions in your life. Not only will it help you but also your family to brace themselves from the financial struggles ahead. With several medical insurance policies available in the market, you may get confused as to which one to buy. So, one way would be to keep all the points mentioned above in mind and then research properly. Medical insurance policies, as provided by some reputable insurers like Tata AIG provide comprehensive coverage along with at the best premium rates along with offering you the option to choose various rider benefits.
Equip yourself with the right knowledge and then purchase a health insurance plan, so that you can have the best medical backup for the future.
