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Health Insurance Online v/s Offline: Which is Better?
A health insurance policy can be purchased both online and offline. Both methods come with numerous benefits and spark a debate about which is better: health insurance online or offline. To help you make up your mind, this article enlists the benefits of buying health insurance online and offline along with a detailed comparison.
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- Health Insurance Online v/s Offline: Which is Better?
Benefits of Buying an Online Health Insurance Policy
With advanced technology and digitalization, the online buying process has become more convenient and transparent. It involves no paperwork, and the health insurance policy is often issued instantly. Hence, an increasing number of people nowadays choose to buy health insurance online.
Here are the benefits of buying an online health insurance plan. It lets you:
- Instantly compare different medical insurance plans from various health insurance providers
- Eliminate the need to rely on agents' suggestions or feedback as you can do your own research
- Understand and compare the policy coverage, exclusions, premium quotes, etc.
- Analyze important factors like claim settlement ratio, solvency ratio, etc., of different insurers
- Check the health insurance provider's background and reviews
- Save time with no or minimal paperwork
- Get discounts on health insurance premiums as the insurers' operational costs reduce
Difference Between Online and Offline Health Insurance
Below is a comparative chart between buying health insurance online and offline-
| Categories | Buying Health Insurance Online | Buying Health Insurance Offline |
| Cost | Online health insurance plans are available at a lower cost than buying the same plan offline. | An offline health insurance policy costs higher than purchasing it online. |
| Paperwork | Buying health insurance online is quite easy and involves no paperwork. | Buying a policy offline requires a lot of paperwork. |
| Transparency | As a policy buyer, you can access authentic information related to a policy/insurance company like claim settlement ratio on the internet. Thus, the online buying process is more transparent. | If you buy a policy offline, you have to rely on the agent for retrieving information about the policy terms and conditions. |
| Flexibility | You have greater flexibility while selecting a policy online since you can check out multiple options per your preference. | The flexibility while choosing a health insurance policy offline is low. |
| Comparing Health Insurance Plans | You can compare different health policies at one place over the internet. | While buying a policy offline, you have limited access to information. So, comparing two or more policies becomes tough. |
| Customer Feedback | Before buying a policy online, you can easily check the customer reviews of the insurance company, helping you make an informed decision. | When you buy a policy offline, you do not have access to customer feedback and have to rely on the information provided by your agent. |
| Convenience | It is more convenient to buy a health policy online as you do not have to wait for the agent and can buy it at any time. | The offline process can become inconvenient as you have to either visit the nearest branch of the insurance company or take an appointment with the agent. |
| Time Taken | It is a faster process as your policy will be issued in a few minutes. | It is a slow process as the policy is issued in a couple of weeks. |
Should You Purchase a Health Insurance Policy Online or Offline?
From the comparative chart above between health insurance online and offline, it is clear that buying health insurance online has more advantages. Buying a health insurance policy online offers greater convenience, transparency, flexibility, and eliminates paperwork, saving you time. On the other hand, purchasing a health insurance policy from an agent provides benefits like customized solutions and greater trust due to in-person contact. It is also a viable option for people who are not tech-savvy.
Not only do you find the best policies from the top insurance companies in India, but you can also compare them easily in one place before buying. Moreover, the online process is more secure and involves no agent commission, which makes it more affordable.
Benefits of Buying Health Insurance from Policybazaar
If you are wondering why to choose Policybazaar.com over a direct insurer, here are some key benefits of buying online health insurance from Policybazaar Health Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd.:
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Wide Range of Health Plans
Health insurers in India offer a range of medical plans tailored to various healthcare needs. Buying a health insurance policy online at Policybazaar.com allows you to find a wide range of plans from different health insurers on a single platform. You can easily compare them and find a plan that best suits your medical requirements.
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Easy Comparison
You can compare different plans and their coverages together in one place. For a comprehensive comparison, you can review the plans based on their premiums, benefits, insurer's claim settlement ratio, etc. This allows you to draw a clear comparison instantly without having to navigate to multiple places.
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24/7 Customer Support
You get 24/7 customer assistance for all your queries. You can raise a claim at any time via WhatsApp or round-the-clock call support.
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On-ground Claim Assistance
If you buy an offline health insurance policy, Policybazaar.com also provides on-ground claim assistance to help you focus on your health and recovery instead of bearing the burden of medical bill payments.
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Instant Policy Issuance
Your policy gets issued instantly with online health insurance from Policybazaar.com. All you need to do is enter your personal details, such as name, age, location, medical history, etc. and upload a few documents. The availability of online forms and payment options makes the whole process quick, and the policy is often issued instantly.
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Dedicated Relationship Manager
Policybazaar.com provides a dedicated relationship manager that serves as a one point of contact for all queries related to policy coverage and claim assistance.
Conclusion
Buying online health insurance has many benefits. If you are confused about choosing the mode of buying a health insurance policy, consider the points mentioned in the article to arrive at a decision. Do not forget to look into factors like the insurer's reputation, claim settlement ratio, and customer support service when choosing the best health insurance plan for yourself.
FAQs
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Q1. Is it good to take health insurance online?
Ans: Yes. Purchasing health insurance online is a good option as it provides greater transparency and flexibility when selecting a health policy online. It is convenient, fast and cost-effective due to fewer intermediaries and advanced technology. -
Q2. Is it better to buy health insurance through a broker or online?
Ans: Buying health insurance online is a more convenient, transparent and cost-saving process with no or less paperwork. You can easily compare different health insurance plans online yourself. On the other hand, buying a health insurance policy offline allows you to get customized suggestions based on your specific health requirements. Which is a better option: health insurance online or offline? This usually depends on the individual’s specific requirements and preferences. -
Q3. Is ₹20 lakh health insurance enough?
Ans: Yes. A ₹20 lakh health insurance policy is enough for an individual or for a small family as it is considered enough to cover hospitalization expenses, surgery costs, critical illnesses, modern treatments, and more. -
Q4. Who is the best health insurance provider in India?
Ans: There are more than 25 health insurance companies in India. The 'best' health insurance company varies from one individual to another because each person has different healthcare requirements and budgets. There is no one-size-fits-all health plan. -
Q5. Is online health insurance cheaper than offline?
Ans: An online mediclaim policy is usually more affordable than an offline health plan. This is because agent commissions and operational costs get minimised in online health insurance, thereby reducing the overall costs. Health insurance providers, thus, may offer medical policies online at a discounted premium. -
Q6. Is it safe to buy health insurance online?
Ans: Yes. Buying health insurance online is safe if you are purchasing the policy from an IRDAI-approved insurer or insurance broker, such as Policybazaar.com. It is recommended to review the company’s claim settlement ratio, solvency ratio, claim process and customer feedback before purchasing an online health plan. -
Q7. Is the claim process different for online and offline health insurance?
Ans: Both offline and online health insurance have the same claim process as the claims are handled directly by the insurance company. While offline health insurance provides claim assistance through agents or dedicated managers, online health insurance claims are easy to raise and offer digital customer support. -
Q8. Who should choose to get health insurance through an agent?
Ans: Anyone who prefers face-to-face assistance and customized suggestions can opt for offline health insurance. Buying health insurance through an agent is also a good option for individuals who are not tech-savvy and lack a strong understanding of the online world.
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Health insurance companies
Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in
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*We will respond in the first instance within 30 minutes of the customers contacting us. 30-minute claim support service is for the purpose of giving reasonable assistance to the policyholder in pursuance of the claim. Settlement of claim (including cashless claim) is the responsibility of the insurer as per policy terms and conditions. The 30- minute claim support is subject to our operations not being impacted by a system failure or force majeure event or for reasons beyond our control. For further details, 24x7 Claims Support Helpline can be reached out at 1800-258-5881.
*Product information is authentic and solely based on the information received from the Insurer. Policybazaar is acting only as a facilitator and claims settlement shall be at the sole discretion of the Insurer. Policybazaar does not provide any medical or surgical advice or diagnosis and is not responsible for your interactions / treatment by a medical practitioner/hospital. Please consult a registered medical practitioner for any medical or surgical advice. The Information that you obtain or receive from Policybazaar, and its employees, or otherwise on the Website is for informational purposes only. As per the Insurance guidelines, you are allowed to cancel the policy with-in 30 days from the date of Issuance of policy.This option is available incase of policies with a term of one year or more.
*All the health insurance plans cover hospitalization expenses including COVID-19 treatment cover up to the specified limits. You can also buy specific COVID-19 health insurance policies such as Corona Kavach Policy and Corona Rakshak policy.
**All savings and online discounts are provided by insurers as per IRDAI approved insurance plans. #Tax Benefits are subject to changes in tax laws.
*₹1748/month is the starting price for a 1 crore health insurance for an 18-year-old male, with no pre-existing diseases. Discount on renewal premium is subject to the number of wellness points earned in the health insurance policy. For more details about the plans, please read the sale brochure carefully to get upto 100% discount on renewal premium.
*₹400/month is the starting price for ₹ 5 lakh Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases
*₹541/month is the starting price for ₹ 10 lakh Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases
*₹762/month is the starting price for ₹ 1 Crore Health insurance for a 30 year old male & 29 years old female, living in Delhi with no pre-existing diseases
*₹243/month(₹ 8/day) is the starting price for a 5 lakh health insurance for a 20-year-old male, non-smoker, living in Bengaluru with no pre-existing diseases
*₹2020/month is the starting price for ₹ 1 Cr Health insurance for a 50 year old male & 50 years old female, living in Bangalore with no pre-existing diseases rounded off to nearest 10.
*₹390/month (₹13 per day) is starting price for 1 cr. Health insurance for 25 years old male, with pre-existing diseases, residing from tier 1 city rounded off to the nearest 10.
*No medical tests are required unless requested by the insurer’s underwriter. In-case of pre-existing diseases relevant medical proof would be required as per the terms and condition of the policy opted.
*The values taken for effective cost calculation are indicative values and may change as per the selected plan.
*Coverage upto double the amount of Sum Insured is available on certain covers for a minimum plan of Rs. 5 Lakh on the first claim only to an individual of upto 45 years of age with no pre-existing diseases. The benefit is available with or without extra cost depending on the plan chosen.
*Coverage of pre-existing diseases is provided by insurer as per their underwriting policy.
*The scope of coverage may vary from plan to plan.
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