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Health insurance

Health Insurance Renewal

Avail cashless hospitalisation, hassle-free claims experience, and dedicated support. Renew health policy now!

✅ Zero waiting period ✅ Zero deductions at claim

Zero Waiting period
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Home / Health Insurance / Health Insurance Renewal

A health insurance plan is usually valid for one year, and you need to renew it upon expiry. It gives you an opportunity to review coverage and make changes in the health plan as required. Sometimes you may need to change add-ons or adjust the sum insured of the plan as per your changing lifestyle. Once you decide on the coverage, you need to find the most convenient way of renewing the policy. Considering the recent pandemic, the contactless online method seems like the best option.

Let’s take a look at some things that will help during online health insurance renewal.

Steps to renew medical insurance policy online
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Here are the steps to renew your Arogya Sanjeevani Policy by ACKO.

Step 1: Before the expiry date, you will receive a renewal notification from our email ID ([email protected]).

Step 2: The email will feature the payment link for policy renewal. Please click on the link and make the payment.

Step 3: You will receive your renewed policy within 24 hours post payment.

To know the renewal process for other ACKO health insurance policies, please write to us at [email protected].

Documents for buying health insurance online
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The list of documents depends upon each insurance company and may change slightly as per the process. Here is an indicative list for your reference.

 

Renew expired health policy offline
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The other method of renewing your health insurance policy is by completing the process without the help of the internet or any mobile application. To renew your health insurance policy offline from ACKO, you need to call our customer care number and speak to the executive. You can ask about additional coverage or different health plans. This will help you get a better health insurance policy instead of simply renewing the existing plan. Here are the steps for renewing health insurance offline from ACKO.

Step 1 -  Call the customer care number.

Step 2 - Share required details and understand available plans.

Step 3 - Make payment once you are sure about the policy.

The executive will send the updated plan soon after you make the payment.

Benefits of mediclaim policy renewal before expiry
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Take a look at the following benefits of renewing the health insurance plan before expiry.

Continued health insurance coverage
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Since medical emergencies are unpredictable, you cannot know when the need to register a claim would arise. It could knock on your door exactly when your health insurance plan is inactive. You can avoid such problems when you renew your health insurance on time.

No lapse in policy
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A lapse in policy can result in higher premiums. You can avoid a higher premium when renewing your health plan on or a little before time.

NCB cycle remains intact
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NCB stands for No Claim Bonus. This is a bonus awarded to you in the form of an increased sum insured for not raising claims in one policy year. Since this is a renewal discount, you will lose it if the policy has a gap. Timely renewals will ensure an intact NCB cycle.

The waiting period can be completed in time
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The waiting period is counted for the active policy years. It will take more than the predefined amount of time to complete the waiting period in case of a lapsed policy. Thus, the timely mediclaim policy renewal ensures that the waiting period is completed as per the plan.

Grace period for medical insurance renewal
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This is the time period for making sure that you renew the health insurance plan at the earliest without losing the benefits mentioned above. The grace period begins as soon as your policy expires. Remember that you can raise a claim only when the policy is active and not during the grace period.

The grace period can last for 15 to 30 days as per the terms of the health plan. In an unfortunate case where you still don't renew the plan, you will lose all the benefits. You then have to buy a new health insurance policy. You may have to pay an additional premium, and the waiting period will reset. Thus, it is advisable to renew health insurance before expiry.

What happens when you fail to renew a health insurance policy on time?
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The following things may happen if you fail to renew your health insurance policy on time.

You cannot raise a claim.

You would have a lapsed policy if you don't renew for a longer time (the grace period).

You may lose the NCB, and the sum insured will decrease or remain the same even if you did not register a claim during the previous policy period.

You may have to serve a longer waiting period. This implies you would be bearing out-of-pocket expenses until the completion of the waiting period.

The premium of your new policy may increase.

You may have to undergo health screening for the new policy.

Tips to avoid lapses in health insurance renewal
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Here are a few tips that will help you renew your health insurance plan on time and avoid a lapse in policy.

Set a reminder on your personal device. This can be easily done on the day you buy the health insurance policy. Simply set a reminder for the expiry date (or a few days before) to help you remember the upcoming renewal.

Nowadays, people avoid answering their phone from an unknown number fearing a spam call. You can install any of the available applications that identify the caller before you answer. This will help you know if the insurer is calling to remind you about the expiry of your health plan.

Your health insurance company may also send a reminder via email. So keep a habit of checking your personal email from time to time.

Things to keep in mind while renewing your health insurance policy
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Always remember to renew your health insurance policy before expiry. This will ensure continued coverage and no loss of discounts. Here are other things that you should keep in mind while renewing the plan.

Go through the terms & conditions of the policy
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The insurance company can update the terms & conditions of the policy, and you need to keep in sync with the recent information. Read through the terms and conditions of your health plan when you renew the policy. It will help you avoid any confusion at the time of claim settlement.

Work towards developing a more healthy lifestyle
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You are more likely to raise a claim against your health insurance policy if you don’t lead a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle will keep you fit and also help you to avoid claims.

Buy useful add-ons
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One should also consider buying suitable add-ons while renewing health insurance. It is because your insurance company may offer new add-ons that suit your requirements, or your needs would have changed during the previous policy period.

Review coverage
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You must always review the coverage before finalising on one health insurance plan. There could be a number of reasons for you to consider making changes in the policy. For example, there could be a change in the number of dependents, the elderly reaching a senior citizen age, a newborn in the family, etc.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Health Insurance Renewal
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Here are some common mistakes that you can avoid while renewing your health plan.

Delaying the Renewal Process
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Do not postpone the renewal procedure until the last few days before the policy expiry. Initiate the process at least 4 weeks in advance to complete any required medical checkups, submit documents, get approval and make payments on time. Delays can cause gaps in coverage, which can be risky.

Hiding Pre-Existing Illnesses
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Make sure to disclose any pre-existing health conditions, recent diagnoses of diseases, or any signs and symptoms noted in the last year. Non-disclosure can allow insurers to reject claims later. Be transparent for a smooth claims process later. 

Failing to Update Personal Details
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Inform your insurer if there are any changes in your address, name, bank account, email ID, mobile number, nominee details, etc., so they can reach you easily and issue timely claim payouts. Outdated details can obstruct communication.

Not Evaluating Cover Enhancements
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Consider if your sum insured, add-ons, etc., need revision based on medical inflation before renewal. For instance, review if you need to increase sum insured by 20% to cover current healthcare costs sufficiently.

Ignoring Terms & Conditions
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Carefully read policy terms and guidelines related to waiting periods, exclusions, etc., before completing documentation to avoid surprises at claim time. Insurers may amend clauses.

Not Comparing Renewal Options
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Before renewing, check if other insurers offer cheaper premiums or better features for the same coverage. Refrain from blindly paying renewal quote if you can get better value.

Frequently asked questions
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Here are a few frequently asked questions about medical insurance renewal. In case of more queries, please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected].

Is renewing health insurance compulsory by law in India?

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No, buying or renewing health insurance is not mandatory by law in India. However, you must always secure yourself with a good health insurance plan as it provides financial backup in case of medical emergencies.

Can I set my health insurance policy to auto-renew?

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It won’t be a good idea to set the policy on auto-renew as that would mean you are continuing with the same plan. You may want to make changes in the policy as per your changing lifestyle and dependents (if applicable).

Is age an important factor for an increase in premium during health insurance renewal?

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Yes, sometimes age plays a vital role in the increase in premium. This can happen if you are crossing a certain age bracket, say you celebrated your 60th birthday during the policy period and now wish to renew the plan. Here, age would be an important factor.

What happens if I miss the renewal date for my health insurance?

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If you miss the renewal date, don't worry! Most insurance policies offer a grace period of 15 to 30 days. You can still renew your policy without losing your benefits, like the No Claim Bonus. But remember, you will be covered for medical expenses during the grace period once the policy is renewed.

Can I upgrade my health insurance plan at renewal time?

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Yes, renewal time is the perfect opportunity to reassess your health insurance needs. You can upgrade your plan to increase coverage, add new benefits, or include additional family members. Just chat with your insurance provider about your options.

Do I need a medical check-up every time I renew my health insurance?

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Most health insurance renewals only require a fresh medical check-up if you're making significant changes to your coverage or have reached a certain age specified by the policy terms. However, checking the specific requirements with your insurer is always good.

What should I do if my health needs have changed since last year?

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If your health or lifestyle has changed significantly—for example, if you've started a family, developed a new health condition, or decided to live a healthier lifestyle—it's important to adjust your health insurance to match.

Can I reduce the cost of my health insurance at renewal?

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Yes, there are a few strategies you can use to reduce costs. Consider increasing your deductible if you're comfortable with potentially higher out-of-pocket claims costs. Also, look into discounts for maintaining a healthy lifestyle or for being a long-term policyholder. Lastly, compare plans to ensure the best deal meets your healthcare needs.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes. Please go through the applicable policy wordings for updated ACKO-centric content, and before making any insurance-related decisions.