With the rising cost of healthcare, having medical insurance has become a necessity. However, even a comprehensive health insurance policy may not be sufficient in case of a major illness or surgery. This is where top-up and super top-up healthcare plans come into the picture. Top-up and super top-up medical insurance policies provide added coverage over and above your active healthcare policy, which can be especially helpful in case of a medical emergency. Let’s understand the distinction between top up vs super top up health insurance.
Top-Up Health Insurance
A top-up health insurance plan provides additional coverage but comes into effect only when the sum insured by the existing policy gets exhausted. The premium for a top-up plan is relatively low compared to a regular health insurance policy, as the coverage comes into effect only after the deductible amount is exhausted. However, the deductible amount can vary depending on the insurer and the plan.
Super Top-Up Health Insurance
A super top-up health insurance plan is similar to a top-up plan, but the coverage comes into effect when the cumulative medical expenses exceed the deductible amount, regardless of whether the expenses are subject to a single hospitalisation or multiple hospitalisations in a policy year. For instance, if you have a super top-up plan that has a deductible of Rs 3 lakh and a sum insured of Rs 10 lakh, and you incur medical expenses of Rs 7 lakh in a single hospitalisation and Rs 2 lakh in another hospitalisation in the same policy year, then the super top-up plan will kick in and cover the remaining Rs 2 lakh.
The premium for a super top-up plan is more than a top-up plan but provides a higher coverage amount; it is more comprehensive in terms of coverage.
Difference Between Top-Up & Super Top-Up Plans in Health Insurance
There are several points of differences between top up vs super top up. For instance, in a top-up plan, the coverage comes into effect only when the medical expenses exceed the deductible amount. In contrast, in a super top-up plan, the deductible amount gets set at a higher level than the existing policy's sum insured. The coverage comes into effect when the total medical expenses in a policy year exceed the deductible amount.
There is a difference between health insurance top up vs super top up in terms of coverage too. In a top-up plan, the coverage is limited to the sum insured by the current health insurance policy. For example, if the sum insured of the existing policy is Rs 5 lakh and the top-up plan has a coverage limit of Rs 10 lakh, the maximum coverage amount will be Rs 10 lakh minus the sum insured of the existing policy. In contrast, in a super top-up plan, the coverage amount is higher than the sum insured by the existing policy. For example, if the sum insured of the existing policy is Rs 5 lakh and the super top-up plan has a coverage limit of Rs 10 lakh, the maximum coverage amount will be Rs 10 lakh minus the deductible amount.
Another point of differentiation between top up vs super top up is the premium. The premium for a top-up plan is usually lower than that of a super top-up plan, as the coverage is limited to the deductible amount. However, the premium for a super top-up plan is higher, as it grants a higher coverage amount.
Both plans provide extra coverage. However, the selection between the two depends on one’s distinct requirements and budget. If you have a low budget and want additional coverage, then a top-up plan may be suitable for you. However, a super top-up plan may be a better option if you want comprehensive coverage and are willing to pay a higher premium. Note that you should be well aware of the differences between top up vs super top up health insurance so as to make a well-informed choice.