Financial Protection When You Need It Most

A Critical Illness Cover plan is a health insurance policy that pays a lump sum amount upon diagnosis of a covered serious illness (like cancer, heart attack, stroke). The payout is made irrespective of your actual treatment costs, allowing you to use the funds for lifestyle adjustment, loan repayment, or medical treatment.

Regular health insurance pays for actual hospitalization bills (reimbursement or cashless). Critical Illness Cover pays a fixed lump sum upon diagnosis of a listed illness, regardless of hospitalization or actual costs.

You receive the payout after the diagnosis is confirmed and any standard survival period (typically 30 days) is completed. Once the claim is approved, the entire sum insured is paid as a one-time lump sum.

Yes, in fact, it is highly recommended. It works alongside your existing health plan, providing additional financial support for non-medical expenses like income loss or mortgage payments while your base health plan covers hospital bills.

Yes, there is usually an initial waiting period of 90 days from the policy start date before any critical illness cover claim is active. Pre-existing diseases might have a longer waiting period (typically 2 to 4 years).

Yes, you can request to increase your sum insured at the time of policy renewal, subject to standard medical underwriting and guidelines of the insurer.

Pre-existing diseases are covered after a standard waiting period (typically 36 to 48 months of continuous coverage) depending on the plan and the insurer's underwriting guidelines.

No, the claim payout received under a Critical Illness Cover policy is tax-free in India under Section 10(10D) or general tax guidelines. Additionally, the premium paid is eligible for tax deduction under Section 80D.