Health Insurance: Higher sum insured or super top-up? Find out which health cover suits your pocket best..

With rising hospital costs and expensive medical treatments, health insurance is no longer just a convenience but a necessity. But the question is: should you choose a base plan with a higher sum insured or a super top-up with a lower premium? The right choice will not only save you expenses but also protect your pocket from major medical emergencies. Let's find out which health cover is truly the best for your pocket.

Base Health Policy
A base health policy is the main cover that covers hospital bills up to your sum insured. It offers benefits like cashless treatment, pre- and post-hospitalization, and a no-claim bonus. People typically opt for a cover of ₹3 to ₹5 lakh, but considering rising medical costs, a cover of ₹10 lakh or more is considered a better option.

Why is a super top-up a value-for-money deal?
The biggest advantage is its low cost. If you buy a separate base policy for ₹25 lakh, it would be more expensive. But if you take a super top-up of ₹25 lakh over your ₹10 lakh policy, its premium can be up to 40% cheaper than the base policy. Suppose you have a base policy of ₹10 lakh and a super top-up of ₹25 lakh with a deductible of ₹10 lakh. If a hospital bill comes to ₹15 lakh, your base policy will cover ₹10 lakh first, and your super top-up plan will cover the remaining ₹5 lakh.

Strategy for Choosing the Right Mix
Experts recommend first purchasing a base health policy that covers your everyday hospitalization costs. Then, add a super top-up to reduce your expenses in case of serious and expensive medical emergencies. The base cover should be at least ₹5 lakh in metro cities and ₹3 lakh in smaller cities.

Benefits of the Two Policies
Both base and super top-up policies address different needs. The base cover covers everyday needs, while the super top-up protects against major and unexpected expenses. The right combination of both gives you the assurance of protection while saving premiums.

Expert Advice
Have both policies with the same insurer to avoid any gaps in claims.

Avoid room rent caps, restoration benefits, and unnecessary baby/maternity cover.

Choose a higher base cover in Metro to cover common hospitalizations.

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