Health insurance lifetime renewability: What you need to know

Health insurance is a crucial financial tool that provides coverage for medical expenses incurred by an individual. When buying health insurance, it is important to consider factors such as the type of plan, coverage offered, cost and lifetime renewability. 

Lifetime renewability is a critical aspect of health insurance that allows policyholders to renew their coverage at any age and stage of life without any restrictions or additional costs. 

In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about health insurance lifetime renewability, how it affects your claim settlement and why it is an essential factor to consider when choosing a health insurance plan.

What is lifetime renewability in health insurance?

Health insurance lifetime renewability is a clause in a health insurance policy that guarantees the policyholder the right to renew their policy for their entire lifetime. This means that the policyholder can renew their health insurance policy every year without any restrictions or additional costs, regardless of their age, health status.

However, in some cases, complaints against health insurance companies have been reported for denying the lifetime renewability clause, usually due to reasons such as non-disclosure of medical conditions or fraudulent claims. Hence it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of your policy to ensure that it includes a lifetime renewability clause. 

Why is Lifetime Renewability important?

Lifetime Renewability is a health insurance guideline which must be followed by individuals.

Typically, as we age, the premium amount for a new health insurance policy increases while the coverage reduces. This is because the older we get, the greater the perceived risks.

For retired individuals and senior citizens, Lifetime Renewability takes off the financial pressure. Age makes one more susceptible to diseases and falls. With the current inflation rate in the healthcare industry, the importance of Lifetime Renewability has only increased manifold.

What are the benefits of lifetime renewal in health insurance? 

The benefits of health insurance lifetime renewability are as follows:

Guaranteed Coverage: With lifetime renewability, policyholders are guaranteed coverage for their entire life, regardless of their age or health status.

No Additional Costs: There are no additional costs associated with renewing a policy under the lifetime renewability clause as long as the policyholder continues to pay the premium.

Cost Savings: Renewing a policy under the lifetime renewability clause may result in cost savings, as policyholders may be able to maintain lower premiums than if they were to purchase a new policy at an older age.

Peace of Mind: Knowing that you can claim the settlement amount for medical expenses provides peace of mind and security for you and your loved ones.

What are the things you should consider when applying for lifetime renewability of health insurance? 

If you are applying for a lifetime renewal of health insurance, here are some things to remember:

Renewal Premium: Check the premium for the renewal of your health insurance policy and ensure that you are comfortable with the cost. Make sure to pay the premium on time to avoid policy lapse.

Policy Terms: Review the terms and conditions of your policy to ensure that you understand the coverage and any exclusions or limitations. 

Pre-Existing Conditions: If you have any pre-existing conditions, make sure that they are covered under the policy. Some health insurance policies may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. In that case, your claim settlement might be rejected. 

If you have any  regarding lifetime renewability, you can approach the insurance ombudsman, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) or file a complaint in the Consumer Court.

Conclusion

Lifetime complaints against your health insurance company renewability is an essential feature to consider when purchasing health insurance. Still, if you have any doubt, you can always approach insurance experts for their advice.