I have an ongoing group insurance from Manipal Cigna for my parents aged 62yrs and 58yrs respectively from past 2 years under Union Bank Customers Group Insurance.

I would now like to include them in a more inclusive and definitive plan wherein coverage and facilities are there as both are going into senior citizen category down the line.

Is it possible to change my insurance from group to family floater Co-sitting of father and mother only while retaining the NCB and Critical Illness Continuity as I have not claimed anything for past 2 years and would like the critical illness cover to remain as it was due after 3 years and this is 3rd year ongoing. So they would have been eligible for the same next year but there are some limitations in the group insurance which has forced me to think to change the current policy to family/individual.

Please guide the best in terms of value for money and what should be the ideal course of action. My coverage is Rs 10 lakh.

Ans: I am very sorry for your loss Anirban. The procedure to undertake is simple: you need to visit the nearest branch with a request letter, death certificate and original policy documents. Once one of the members is deleted, the insurance company will recalculate the premium and renew the family floater policy with your mother becoming the sole policy holder. Also, the cumulative bonus benefits should normally be retained by the insurer.

You may also choose to call your insurer to check if they have a specific format for making the change. This will help you avoid multiple visits to the insurance company’s office. Increase in sum insured for your mother to a larger amount is at the discretion of the insurance company and you may request for the same.

Ans: In a family floater policy, the daughter will normally be covered till the age of 21 or 25 years old irrespective of her marital status, of course, depending on the terms & conditions of the specific policy purchased by you. All the benefits remain as it is till the permissible age.

Post the age limit the daughter can be part of a new individual plan and can avail all continuity benefits or part of her husband’s floater plan with terms and conditions applicable to that policy.

Ans: Hi Pradeep, yours is a legit concern. It would be best if you take advice from a professional person or company – having the necessary qualifications -- after discussing your issue with them.

Insurance is each to its own. Depending on your concerns and requirements a professional service provider will be able to give you the best advice, whether to tweak policy amount or switch to top up.

Ans: Switching to National Insurance Company for your Mediclaim Policy can be a good option if they offer competitive premiums, comprehensive coverage, and efficient claim settlement. Compare the policy features, benefits, and premiums with Tata AIG to ensure it meets your needs and provides value for money. Review the policy details, network hospitals, and exclusions before making a decision. Consult a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice.

Ans: Unfortunately, finding a new health insurance policy with pre-existing conditions like open-heart surgery can be challenging, especially at the age of 69. Here's why:

• Pre-existing Conditions: Most insurers are hesitant to cover pre-existing conditions, and open-heart surgery falls under that category.
• Age: As you age, premiums tend to rise, and insurers might be more cautious about taking on new senior citizens.

However, there are still some options to explore:

1. Renew Existing Policy with Oriental:

Check with Oriental Insurance Co. again regarding renewal. While they might not increase the sum insured to 15 lakh, they might still offer renewal on the existing 10 lakh plan.

2. Senior Citizen Mediclaim Plans:

Many insurers offer senior citizen health insurance plans designed for people above 60. These plans may have limitations on pre-existing conditions, but they could offer some coverage. You can explore options from reputable companies like Max Bupa, Care Health Insurance, or Cholamandalam MS. Research these companies online or consult an insurance broker for plan details.

3. Top-up Plans:
These plans work alongside your existing policy and provide additional coverage in case your existing sum insured gets exhausted. However, pre-existing condition exclusions might still apply. Explore top-up plans offered by your existing insurer or other companies.

4. Finding the Right Plan:

• Use online insurance comparison platforms or consult an insurance broker to compare different senior citizen mediclaim or top-up plans.
• Carefully review the policy documents, especially exclusions related to pre-existing conditions.
• Consider factors like network hospitals, co-pay clauses, and claim settlement ratio before finalising a plan.