Buying health insurance can feel like choosing a life partner—confusing, overwhelming, and full of fine print. But don’t worry, I’ve made it simple with this ultimate checklist to buy health insurance that even your non-finance friends can understand.

If you’re around 30 and thinking about that magical ₹1 crore cover, this is your cheat sheet. Let’s break it down without jargon, drama, or sleepless nights.

1. No Co-Pay Clause

Translation: Co-pay = You pay a portion of the bill.

If your policy makes you pay 20% every time you’re hospitalized, it’s like having an umbrella with holes. Choose a plan with zero co-pay—so your insurer pays 100%, and you stay stress-free.

2. Avoid Room Rent Limits

Many insurers cap your room rent at ₹5,000/day. Great—except most decent hospital rooms cost ₹10,000 or more in cities.

And here’s the catch: If you go over the limit, your entire bill gets proportionately reduced.
So pick a policy with no room rent cap. No fine print. No surprises.

3. No Sub-Limits on Diseases

Some policies say, “We’ll cover your heart surgery—but only up to ₹3 lakhs.”

Wait, wasn’t this a ₹1 crore policy?

Sub-limits are sneaky. Your insurance should pay for whatever the treatment costs—not a fixed amount per disease. Skip policies that do this.

4. Unlimited Restore Benefits

This is like a magic refill. If you use up your entire sum insured, the insurer restores it again—like an extra life in a video game.

Many good policies offer unlimited or multiple restores per year. Look for that. Emergencies rarely RSVP in advance.

5. Pre & Post-Hospitalization Coverage

You don’t just walk into a hospital. You take tests, see specialists, and buy meds.

Choose a plan that covers:

At least 60 days pre-hospitalization
At least 180 days post-hospitalization

Otherwise, you’re paying for a lot out of pocket.

6. Cashless Hospital Network

What’s the point of insurance if you have to pay first and claim later?

Check the insurer’s cashless hospital list. Pick one with a wide network, especially in your city.

7. Lifelong Renewability

You’ll need health insurance more in your 70s than in your 30s. So make sure the plan offers lifelong renewability.

Some plans quietly stop at 65 or 70. That’s like pulling the rug just when you need it most.

8. Go Through a Trusted Platform or Advisor

Buy from licensed agents, official websites, or credible platforms. Avoid WhatsApp forwards offering “₹1 crore in ₹99/month.” Spoiler: That’s not real.