When buying health insurance, you probably have a basic checklist of things you consider, such as the premium, sum insured, and coverage for hospitalisation and treatments. But what if your plan could offer more than just the basics? Choosing an add-on policy in health insurance can make all the difference to your existing plan. Let’s find out how in this article.
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An add-on policy in health insurance is an optional benefit you can buy along with your main policy. It offers extra protection by covering specific health risks or conditions that may not be included in your base plan. Think of it as a way to customise your health insurance to match your individual or family’s medical requirements better.
An add-on policy aims to increase the scope of your health insurance coverage. Although you have to pay an additional premium on top of your existing policy, an add-on gives you extra coverage for certain medical conditions or services that your current plan might not cover.
For example, if you add a critical illness add-on policy, you’ll be eligible for a lump sum payout if diagnosed with a covered critical illness like cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
In health insurance, add-on policy is often confused with add-on cover as both options offer extra protection to an existing policy. But each serves a different purpose and works differently during claims.
| Add-on Policy | Add-on Cover |
| A major benefit added to your primary health plan for extra coverage | Optional feature added to support specific parts of your primary health plan |
| Covers major situations like critical illness, personal accident, or maternity | Covers minor features like room rent, daily cash, or no-claim bonus boost |
| Has its own terms, limits, and sometimes a separate payout | Follows the terms of the main policy |
| May have a separate claim process | Processed together with the main claim |
| Adds more premium compared to a cover | Adds a small cost to your base premium |
Depending on your insurer and the kind of coverage you require, there are several types of add-on policies to choose from. Some of the most common add-ons include:
A critical illness add-on provides a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a life-threatening disease like cancer, heart attack, or stroke, whether you’re hospitalised or not. This can be used for treatment, recovery, or even day-to-day expenses
A personal accident add-on provides a lump sum payment in case of accidental death or permanent total disability. It offers extra financial support to help you or your family manage income loss, recovery expenses, or lifestyle changes following the incident.
A maternity add-on covers pregnancy-related expenses including prenatal care, childbirth, and post-natal care for mother and baby.
Some insurers offer PED add-on policies that either reduce the waiting period or partially cover certain conditions earlier, as pre-existing conditions like diabetes or hypertension typically have a waiting period before your policy starts covering them.
Every individual has different healthcare needs and requirements. Here are some reasons why a policyholder might include an add-on policy to their health insurance:
An add-on policy is a great way to boost your existing health insurance and provide additional protection for specific needs. Whether you’re looking for coverage for critical illness, maternity, or a pre-existing condition, an add-on can help turn your insurance policy as comprehensive as possible.
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Reviewed by Dr. Harshita Dahiya 
Acko Technology & Services Private Limited
#36/5, Hustlehub One East, Somasandrapalya, 27th Main Rd, Sector 2, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
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