What is Endorsement in Health Insurance?

What if you've made a mistake in your health insurance form? Or got married recently but your policy only covers you and not your spouse? Don't worry, you don't need to start over because that's what endorsements are for. They let you update or tweak your existing policy without the hassle of buying a new one. Let's take a look at everything there is to know about the endorsement process in health insurance.

What if you've made a mistake in your health insurance form? Or got married recently but your policy only covers you and not your spouse? Don't worry, you don't need to start over because that's what...
What if you've made a mistake in your health insurance form? Or got...
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Endorsement in Health Insurance

Simply put, an endorsement is a process that allows policyholders to make formal changes or update their existing health insurance policy. It could be as simple as correcting a spelling mistake or as significant as adding a new family member to your plan. Once this request is approved, the insurance company issues an endorsement certificate, which becomes a part of your policy document.

For example, Sakshi noticed her name was misspelt in her health policy. She submits a name correction request along with her ID proof. The insurer reviewed and approved it. Her corrected name now appears on all future policy documents and claims.

Types of Endorsements

Here are some of the most common kinds of changes people make through endorsements:

Personal information

  • Name, gender, or date of birth corrections
  • Address or contact detail updates
  • PAN and Aadhaar number corrections

Family relationship changes

  • Adding a spouse after marriage
  • Including a newborn or adopted child
  • Removing a deceased or ineligible member

Coverage changes

  • Adding riders to the policy, for example, maternity cover, critical illness, etc.
  • Increasing or reducing the sum insured
  • Changing room rent limits or co-pay terms

Nominee details

  • Updating or changing the nominee's name and relationship with the policyholder

Policy transfers

  • This is for when you shift to a new insurance provider and certain terms need to be carried over or redefined

Why does it matter?

Maintains accurate information

Having the correct personal details like your name, address, date of birth, or nominee, is extremely important in policy documents because even the smallest mistake can cause big issues during a claim. Endorsements are a quick way to fix those details and avoid any unnecessary delays.

Keeps your coverage intact

Life events such as marriage, childbirth, or a death or a dependant can greatly affect your insurance needs. Endorsements allow you to adjust your coverage according to your current needs.

Helps stay financially prepared

As your lifestyle or income changes, your health insurance needs might grow too. With endorsements, you can upgrade your plan, add extra benefits, or increase your coverage without the hassle of getting a new policy.

Avoids any claim disputes

A lot of claims get delayed or rejected just because something in the policy wasn’t updated. Keeping your policy updated through these endorsements can reduce the chances of disputes related to claims and ensure a better experience for you.

Legal backing

An endorsement is a legally recognized document. It ensures that any change you make is acknowledged by the insurance company, giving you greater peace of mind in case of emergencies.

How to request an Endorsement?

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Inform your insurer

Call your insurance provider's customer care or log in to your policy portal on the website or mobile app.

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Submit documents

You need to submit the documents as proof of the changes you want to make, for example, marriage certificate, birth certificate, ID proof, etc.

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Review by the insurer

The insurance company will then review or evaluate the request by underwriting, especially for any coverage-related changes.

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Endorsement certificate

Once your request is approved, you’ll receive a certificate or a copy of the updated policy.

Conclusion

An endorsement is a formal change or addition made to your existing policy. You can think of endorsements as a way of 'updating your insurance wardrobe' because it should always fit your life situation. Don’t ignore the small stuff and remember, whether you're getting married, moving cities, or correcting a mistake in your policy, endorsements help keep your health insurance up to date and relevant and save you a lot of trouble during claim time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. For changes like adding a newborn or spouse, health insurance providers usually have a window of 30 to 90 days from the date of the event. It would be best to check your policy terms and inform your insurer as early as possible.

It will depend on the type of change. Corrections like name or address updates usually don’t affect the premium. But changes that affect risk or coverage, like adding a family member or increasing the sum insured, might result in a change in the premium.

Yes. You can make multiple endorsements as long as they are supported by the right documents.

Not usually. The base policy number typically remains the same.

Sometimes, yes. Simple changes like correcting your name or address are usually free. But if you make financial endorsements or changes that can affect your coverage like adding a family member or increasing your sum insured, you might have to pay a higher premium. Some insurance providers might also charge a small service fee.

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Written by Roocha Kanade

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Reviewed by Dr. Harshita Dahiya Author info Icon

Health Insurance content enthusiast who turns complex topics into easy, binge-worthy reads—fueled by SEO, creativity, and way too much chai! Loves juggling multiple projects, cracking impossible deadlines, and sprinkling humor into the mix. When not geeking out over digital trends, you'll find her lurking on Quora and Reddit, planning the next getaway, or passionately decoding all things health and insurance!

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