Health insurance has become a necessity as medical expenses are on the rise. Unexpected health issues can put immense financial pressure on families. While individual health insurance policies provide essential coverage, managing multiple plans for each family member can be complex and costly. This is where a family floater health insurance plan comes into play, offering a convenient and often more affordable way to protect your loved ones under one comprehensive policy.
What is a family floater health insurance?
A family floater insurance is a type of medical insurance policy that covers all family members under a single sum insured. Instead of buying separate policies for each individual, the entire family shares the insured amount. Typically, the policyholder, spouse and children are covered, although some plans also allow for the inclusion of dependent parents or parents-in-law.
For example, if a family has a floater plan with a sum that is insured of ₹10 lakhs, any member of the family can use that amount in case of hospitalisation or medical treatment, up to the total limit.
How does a family floater plan work?
In a family floater policy, the sum insured acts like a common pool of funds accessible by all insured members. This means that if one member of the family is hospitalised and needs ₹4 lakhs for treatment, the remaining ₹6 lakhs can still be used by any of the other covered members within the policy term.
Most family floater plans come with a yearly premium, and the coverage continues as long as the premium is paid on time and the policy is renewed without lapse.
Benefits of a family floater health insurance plan
Mentioned here are a few key benefits of availing such a plan:
Each family member has access to the shared pool of the sum insured, thereby enjoying an enhanced coverage individually. For example, if an individual insurance would provide a family member an insurance coverage up to ₹2 lakh, a family floater policy covering a family of four will be giving a coverage of ₹8 lakh.
You need to pay lesser insurance premium for Family Health Insurance as compared to Individual Plans.
Like other health plans, a family floater plan too lets you can avail tax deduction on the insurance premium paid u/s Sec.80D of Income Tax Act, 1961.
You can avoid the hassle of renewing multiple policies if you have one common plan like the family floater.
Individual medical insurance generally expires on death of the insured. Family health insurance plans offer coverage against medical expenses even if a particular plan member passes away.
How to choose a family floater plan?
Here are a few careful considerations:
- Assess your family's healthcare needs: Take into account the age, medical history and lifestyle of all family members.
- Compare sum insured and premium: Make sure the sum insured is enough to cover potential medical expenses for multiple members, and check if the premium is reasonable for the coverage provided.
- Check the insurer’s network hospitals: Ensure the plan offers cashless treatment at hospitals that are easily accessible to you.
- Understand the waiting periods: Most policies have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions or specific treatments.
- Look for additional benefits: Features like maternity cover, annual health check-ups and no-claim bonus add value to the policy.
Conclusion
A family floater health insurance plan is a practical way to ensure your family's health and financial security. Consider investing in a health insurance policy for family, as it safeguard your savings while ensuring access to quality treatment.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.