Health insurance is a contract between you and your insurer. It guarantees financial cover during medical emergencies — protecting both your health and your savings.
Most health insurance plans are valid for one year. When the policy expires, it must be renewed to keep your coverage active and your benefits intact.
Renewing your policy on time keeps your coverage uninterrupted. A lapsed policy means no cover during medical emergencies — and you could lose valuable accumulated benefits.
Insurance companies update their plans regularly. Renewing gives you a chance to review your coverage, adjust your sum insured, and make sure you are still getting the best value.
If your policy lapses, you lose:
Renewing online takes just a few minutes and can be done directly through your insurer's website:
At renewal, you can also increase your sum insured if your coverage needs have changed. A higher sum insured will attract a higher premium.
If you prefer not to renew online, you can do it by phone:
The exact list varies by insurer, but typically includes:
Timely renewal ensures your medical expenses remain covered. A lapsed policy leaves you fully exposed — and you may no longer be eligible to buy a new policy at an older age.
If your policy lapses, you may need to buy a fresh policy at a higher premium. Renewing before expiry locks in your existing rates.
NCB is a reward for claim-free years — it increases your sum insured at no extra cost. Any gap in renewal breaks the NCB cycle and you lose this benefit entirely.
Waiting periods count only during active policy years. A lapsed policy resets this clock — meaning you wait longer before pre-existing conditions are covered again.
Most policies offer a grace period of 15–30 days after expiry. However, you cannot raise claims during this period — only after the policy is renewed and active again.
If you miss the grace period entirely, your policy lapses. You will need to buy a new policy, pay a higher premium, and restart the waiting period from scratch.
Renewal is the right time to review whether your current coverage is still adequate. If your healthcare needs have grown, opt for a higher sum insured — or add a top-up plan for extra protection.
Always update your insurer about any new health conditions at renewal. Hiding medical information can lead to claim rejections later.
Premiums paid for health insurance are eligible for deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. You can also change the policyholder at renewal to maximise tax benefits for your household.
Before renewing, review the renewal clause, exclusions, and claim guidelines. Do not assume your coverage is identical to the previous year — terms can change.
Yes. You can port your health insurance to a different insurer at renewal without losing your NCB or waiting period credits.
The waiting period already served under your old policy is carried forward, so you only need to complete the remaining portion under the new plan.
Important: Submit your portability request at least 45 days before your policy expiry date. Late requests can be rejected by the new insurer.
With so many plans available, comparison is key. Look at these factors before deciding:
Yes. Age is a key factor in premium calculations. If you cross a significant age threshold during the policy period — such as turning 60 — your renewal premium may increase accordingly.
This is another reason to renew early and review your plan each year, rather than waiting until the last moment.
